A-11

The Consolidated Aircraft A‑11 was conceived in the early 1930s as the company's first single‑engine observation and liaison aircraft. Drawing on experience from earlier trainer and utility types, Consolidated's design team, led by chief engineer George A. Chicoine, produced a low‑wing monoplane with a semi‑monocoque fuselage and all‑metal construction, unusual for the period. The prototype, Model 45, first flew on 12 March 1934 from San Diego, showing a top speed of 210 mph, a service ceiling of 24,000 ft and a range of 720 mi powered by a 650‑hp Wright R‑1820 radial engine.

Key features included fully retractable split‑type landing gear, a spacious cabin for a pilot, observer and up to three passengers, and interchangeable forward‑firing or camera mounts that made the A‑11 versatile for reconnaissance, light transport and training. Only 112 units were built before production ended in 1938, yet the aircraft saw extensive use with the United States Army Air Corps and several foreign services, proving valuable in frontier scouting and mail‑run duties.

The A‑11’s rugged reliability, flexible payload options and advanced aerodynamics marked a turning point for Consolidated, paving the way for the famous B‑24 Liberator and cementing the company's reputation as an innovator in military aviation.