Vought OS2U Kingfisher
The Vought Kingfisher OS2U (factory designation VS 310) was a single-engine reconnaissance aircraft that could be used in many ways. The equipable with both swimmers and a wheeled undercarriage aircraft could be started, among others, with the help of an aircraft catapult of large warships. After splashdown, the aircraft was lifted by crane on board the carrier ship.
History
The prototype of the seaplane variant of the OS2U flew on May 19, first time in 1938 and came in 1940 with the U.S. Navy as a catapult aircraft used. It was produced in large numbers, a total of 1519 machines. She was next to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard in many other naval forces in action. These included the British and the Soviet Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and a number of Latin American countries.
Main purposes were to determine, submarine defense and rescue. The Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) built the OS2U -3 in the license; this version was called OS2N -1.
Construction
The OS2U was a compact two-seat mid-wing monoplane with a central float and two small stabilizing floats under the wing tips. It was not a particularly high performance with its 443 -hp Pratt & Whitney R -985 -AN- 2 engine and flew relatively slowly. The OS2U could also be fitted with fixed landing gear.
Countries
- Argentina Argentina ( 9 copies )
- Australia (18 )
- Chile Chile ( 15)
- Dominican Republic Dominican Republic ( 3)
- Mexico Mexico (6 )
- Soviet Union 1923 Soviet Union: 2 under the Lend-Lease Act
- United Kingdom United Kingdom
- Uruguay ( 8)
- United States 48 United States: Coast Guard, Marine