The YB-11 was the only bomber designed
for the Air Corps for the dual role
of land and sea operation. Shortly after
Douglas had developed the XP3D-1, a
large twin engine seaplane, for the U. S.
Navy as a patrol bomber, the Army ordered
a scaled down version to be built as an amphibian.
Powered by two Wright R-1820-45
Cyclones rated at 930hp, the YB-11 was
to have a crew of five and carry three
7.62mm machine guns. One gun was
located in the plexiglas nose turret, and
one each in waist positions which were
covered by sliding hatches when not in
use. The forward part of the wing was of
corrugated aluminum with fabric covering
from the rear spar back. The fuselage was
all metal and the landing gear retracted
into depressed wells on the sides.
Before completion, the design was reclassified
as an observation type and
given the designation YO-44. However,
the finished product was delivered with
the Air Corps serial number 33-17 as the
YOA-5 amphibian. It bore this identification
throughout its life as one of the
fore-runners of the Air Rescue planes of
today.
