This report was a forecast of the future, for World War II with its rapidly changing battle lines proved the need for light, maneuverable observation aircraft which could operate from unimproved airstrips.

[3] The only surviving O-46A (s/n 35-179) is currently in storage in the collection of the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, Ohio.

[4] On 27 November 1942, the aircraft was part of the 81st Air Base Squadron,[5] when it landed downwind at Brooks Field, Harlingen, Texas, ran out of runway and overturned.

More than 20 years later it was discovered by the Antique Airplane Association with trees growing through its wings, and in 1967, it was rescued and hauled to Ottumwa, Iowa.

Restoration turned out to be beyond the organization's capability, and in September 1970, it was traded to the National Museum of the United States Air Force for a flyable Douglas C-47 Skytrain.