Hall PH

The issuance of the order was the result of the policy of the US Navy , who wanted to receive standardized patrol flying boats based on a single project, but produced by various companies, since the naval enterprise “Naive Aircraft Factory” ( NAF ), which had modest production capabilities, was unable to meet the needs of naval aviation full volume ^[2] .

The prototype HRN-1 was put to the test in December 1929. In June 1930, the company received an order for 9 serial machines, deliveries of which began in late 1931. However, new orders from the fleet did not follow. Following the naval aviation plane, the Coast Guard became interested. In 1936, its responsibility was extended from 644 to 1,210 km from the coast, which required the acquisition of hydroplanes with a large radius of action. However , the PBY seaplane “Consolidated” , which was being introduced into production at that time, was considered too expensive for the Coast Guard, and eventually decided to buy an additional batch of upgraded “Hall” flying boats ^[2] .

XPH-1 Prototype

The RN-1 aircraft entered service with the VP-8 squadron stationed in Hawaii, but in 1937 they were already decommissioned and replaced by the Catalins. In Coast Guard aviation, the RN-2 and RN-3 seaplanes arrived at the aircraft stations on the east and west coasts of the United States. In early 1942, they were transferred under the operational control of the Navy. Flying boats "Hall" received weapons and began to carry out systematic patrol flights in order to search for enemy submarines. They were also attracted to participate in search and rescue operations - the voluminous fuselage PH-2 / PH-3 allowed to place up to 20 victims. By January 1943, 9 aircraft remained in service, but during the following year they were replaced by more modern machines. The last RN-3 was decommissioned in March 1944 ^[2] .

• RN-1 - reconnaissance aircraft with engines R-1820-86, open cockpit, armament 4x7,62.
• RN-2 - Coast Guard rescue aircraft with R-1820-F51 engines, closed cabins, without armament.
• RN-3 - PLO aircraft, near reconnaissance and rescue aircraft for the Coast Guard, R-1820-F51 engines in elongated hoods, 4x7.62 weapons, bombs up to 454 kg.

The data of the PH-3 modification are given. Data source: Andrey Kharuk. All seaplanes of World War II. Illustrated color encyclopedia. Moscow: Eksmo, 2013. - 328 p.

Specifications

• Crew : 6 people
• Length : 15.55 m
• Wing Span: 21.21 m
• Height : 5.95 m
• Wing area: 108.83 m²
• Weight empty: 4 210 kg
• Normal take-off weight: 7,470 kg
• Powerplant : 2 × radial wright R-1820-F51
• Engine power: 2 × 875

Flight performance

• Maximum speed: 250 km / h
• Cruising speed : 220 km / h
• Practical range: 3300 km
• Practical ceiling : 6,400 m

Armament

• Gun-cannon: 4x7,62-mm machine gun "Lewis" on the nose and upper turrets
• Combat load: bombs up to 454 kg

• Kotelnikov, V. R. Seaplanes 1939-1945 / Avakollektsiya. Special Edition 2.2003. - M: "Model-Designer", 2003. - 96 p.
• Haruk A. All seaplanes of the Second World War. Illustrated color encyclopedia. - M: Eksmo, 2013. - 328 p. - 1200 copies - ISBN 978-5-699-68140-2 .