Vought OS2U Kingfisher
Catapult-launched, observation floatplane. The OS2U was a neat, compact mid-wing
monoplane, with a big central float and small stabilising floats. Performance was modest,
because of its light engine. The OS2U could also operate on fixed, wheeled landing gear.
For the USN, the OS2U was with 1519 built the most used shipboard observation aircraft,
and the most popular one of WWII --- although that doesn't mean that much, the competition
including failed aircraft such as the SO3C and SC. The OS2U not only served on the
battleships and cruisers of the USN, but also with the Royal Navy and the USCG.
| General characteristics
OS2U-3 |
| Primary function |
Observation |
| Power plant |
One Pratt&Whitney R-985-AN-2 engine |
| Thrust |
443 HP |
330 kW |
| Wingspan |
35 ft |
10.69 m |
| Length |
33 ft |
10.08 m |
| Height |
15.1 ft |
4.6 m |
| Wingarea |
261.6 sq ft |
24.3 sq m |
| Weight |
empty |
848 lb |
1,870 kg |
| max. |
1,234 lb |
2,721 kg |
| Max. speed |
164 mph |
264 km/h |
| Ceiling |
13,000 ft |
3,960 m |
| Max. range |
1,155 miles |
1,860 km |
| Armament |
2x 7.62mm machine gun, 295 kg bomb |
| Crew |
Two |
| Date deployed |
1940 |
Jirka Wagner
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