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United States' Vought OS2U Kingfisher land and floatplane1
OS2U-1 Kingfisher |
OS2U-2 Kingfisher |
OS2U-3 Kingfisher |
OS2U-3 Kingfisher  |
OS2U Kingfisher |
Design
Development of the Kingfisher started in 1937.1 It was Vought's first monoplane to be introduced.1
It was constructed with the use of spot welding which was revolutionary for the time.1
Land and Sea
The floats could be removed a wheeled undercarriage could be installed.1
Prototype
The XOS2U-1 prototype first flew on July 20, 1938.1
Production
- XOS2U-1: 11
- OS2U-1: 541
- Manufacturer: Vought at Stratford, Connecticut1
- OS2U-2: 1581
- Manufacturer: Vought at Stratford, Connecticut1
- OS2U-3: 1,0061
- Manufacturer: Vought at Stratford, Connecticut1
- OS2N-1: 3001
- Manufacturer: Naval Aircraft Factory at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania1
- Total: 1,5191
- Production: 1940 - 19421
Variants
- XOS2U-1: Prototype.1
- XOS2N-4: Experimental prototype with narrow chord wings and revised aerofoil.1
- OS2U-1: Entered service in August 1940.1
- OS2U-2: Entered service in late 1940.1 Had some equipment changes.1
- OS2U-3: Added fuel capacity.1 More armor protection for the pilot and observer/gunner.1 Entered service in 1941.1
- OS2N-1: Similar to the OS2U-3.1
- Kingfisher Mk I: Made for Britain.1 Used for reconnaissance and training.1
Usage
The OS2U Kingfishers were used by Argentina (9), Australia (24), Britain (100), Chile (15), Dominican Republic (3), Mexico (6), Uruguay (6), and the United States.1
United States Navy's Standard
The Kingfisher was the standard floatplane deployed by the United States Navy either by inshore bases or launched by catapult from ships at sea.1 It participated in all theaters of operation.1
Multi-Role
The OS2U Kingfisher was also used for artillery spotting, dive bombing, air sea rescue, anti submarine, and liaison roles.1
| Vought OS2U Kingfisher1 | Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance floatplane1 Reconnaissance land plane1 |
Reconnaissance floatplane1 |
| Crew | 21 | 21 |
| Engine (Type) | Pratt & Whitney R-985-48 Wasp Junior1 | |
| OR | Pratt & Whitney R-985-50 Wasp Junior1 | |
| OR | Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-2 Wasp Junior1 | |
| OR | Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-8 Wasp Junior1 | |
| Cylinders | Radial 91 | |
| Cooling | ||
| HP | 4501 | |
| Propeller blades | 21 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 35' 11"1 10.95 m1 |
|
| Length | 33' 10"1 10.31 m1 |
|
| Height | 15' 1.5"1 4.61 m1 |
|
| Wing area | ||
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 4,123 lb1 1,870 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 6,000 lb1 2,722 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 5,500' / 1,676 m |
164 mph1 264 kph1 |
|
| Cruising speed | 119 mph1 192 kph1 |
|
| Climb to 5,000' / 1,524 m |
12.1 minutes1 | |
| Climb to 10,000' / 3,048 m |
29.1 minutes1 | |
| Service ceiling | 13,000'1 3,962 m1 |
|
| Range | 805 miles1 1,295 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 1: 0.3" MG1 | |
| Rear cockpit | 1: 0.3" MG1 | |
| Bombs | 650 lb1 295 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
