Convair Model 48 "Charger"

Posted by Leonid527@reddit | WeirdWings | View on Reddit | 54 comments

The Convair Model 48 Charger was a prototype light attack and observation aircraft of the 1960s, developed to meet a requirement for a dedicated counter-insurgency (COIN) aircraft. It was a two-seat, twin-boom aircraft powered by two turboprop engines which lost out to the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco of similar layout. Only the single prototype Model 48 was built, and this turned out to be the last complete aircraft constructed by Convair

Without a doubt, a very peculiar and striking aircraft that in the end could not surpass the OV-10 Bronco

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Ben_Dover70@reddit

Wings? We don't need no stinkin wings where we're going!

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UrethralExplorer@reddit

Could probably take off and land on forested roads and trails. Idk about it's endurance but it looks like a sick little plane.

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old_flying_fart@reddit

Probably? That wes the design. Somewhere there's a video (can't find it now) of a high speed taxi test on the most ridiculous "runway" you've ever seen, The 48's gear just sucked up all the bumps. A Ford F150 would have lost control at that speed. It's pretty amazing.

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TrenchcoatVendor@reddit

This is the OV-10, but still fun to watch.

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old_flying_fart@reddit

That might be the video I'm thinking of, but I'm pretty sure the 48 went though the same tests. That was a Navy test, not a North American test.

Note the short wings of the early model OV-10.

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magnificentfoxes@reddit

Guess you could say they were penny pinching coins.

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smithers3882@reddit

The original USMC vision was for an even lighter and simpler aircraft than what the OV-10 - the Charger competitor (and ultimate victor) became, with an 8’ landing gear track and a 20’ wingspan to operate from most roadways.

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mexchiwa@reddit

Tails might be taller than outer wings are long

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old_flying_fart@reddit

Man, I'd kill to have one of those. STOL out the wazoo and carries a load an a half. You can seat 4 inside the fuselage!

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whywouldthisnotbea@reddit

Can anyone explain how that tiny wing with the weight of two engines and retractable gear can clear a 50 foot obstacle in 500 feet?

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old_flying_fart@reddit

Max flap angle was NINETY degrees.

Put the wash from two turboprops over that wing, and it's nearly as good as a VTOL fan.

Lose one engine in that configuration and you die.

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Pilgrim_of_Reddit@reddit

As u/Cthell wrote, “propwash “.

I started big googling “Model 48 NACA profile” and got the following…

“The Convair Model 48 Charger was a prototype light attack aircraft that did not use a standard NACA airfoil profile.

Instead, its short wings were designed with a unique system of full span trailing edge slotted flaps and leading-edge slats inboard of the engines to maximise lift and manoeuvrability from the propeller wash, effectively creating a form of vectored thrust.

The Charger's stubby wings were designed to operate within the slipstream of its two turboprop engines, which significantly increased the effectiveness of the flaps and slats.

Wingspan was 30’ 10.30” (9.397 m). The tailplane has a 20’ (6.096m) span.

Stall speed (which obviously varies with loading, t’s & p’s, is about 40 knots. Personally, that does surprise me.

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Cthell@reddit

By having the wings almost entirely submerged in the prop wash.

Lose one engine and you're going to have a bad day

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Mythrilfan@reddit

Oomph.

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Diogenes256@reddit

You could fit it in a decent backyard too.

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jacksmachiningreveng@reddit

Footage of the prototype

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t53ix35@reddit

The OV-10.

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blackpearl1477@reddit

The only Plane that kept coming back from the dead several times after retirement I heard. Very impressive and seemingly still useful and simple.

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mdang104@reddit

It had a 90 degree flap setting and Krueger flaps allowing for very slow flight and STOL relying on a blown wing and prop wash. That also meant that an engine failure at those speed lead to a near instant VMC roll unless you cut power from the good engine immediately.

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Live-Syrup-6456@reddit

Something I found at the neighborhood swap meet.

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Live-Syrup-6456@reddit

Reverse side.

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MightyOGS@reddit

Once again, the TPE331 wins the day

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Extension-Two-4546@reddit

Even stranger was Martin Aircraft’s proposal. It had an inverted “V” horizontal stabilizer between the booms and: “blown” controls over the aforementioned stabilizer and ailerons and wings using engine exhaust gases. I became aware of said aircraft after a seller on eBay (of a non-aviation item) that I bought from was selling an/ the original Martin Aircraft promotional poster that I now own. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lockheedmartin/35452087666/

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