Vought OS2U Kingfisher

{{Short description|Observation floatplane (in service 1938-59)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox aircraft |name= OS2U Kingfisher |image= File:OS2U-2 Kingfisher in flight 1942.jpg |caption= |type= Observation floatplane |manufacturer= Vought |first_flight= 1938 |introduction= |retired= 1959 (Cuba) |status= |primary_user= United States Navy |more_users= Royal Navy Royal Australian Air Force Soviet Navy |produced= |number_built= 1,519 |variants= }} thumb|OS2U with landing gear The '''Vought OS2U Kingfisher''' is an American catapult-launched observation floatplane. It was a compact mid-wing monoplane, with a large central float and small stabilizing floats. Performance was modest because of its low-powered engine. The OS2U could also operate on fixed, wheeled, taildragger landing gear.

The OS2U was the main shipboard observation seaplane used by the United States Navy during World War II, and 1,519 of the aircraft were built.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} It served on battleships and cruisers of the U.S. Navy, with the United States Marine Corps in Marine Scouting Squadron Three (VMS-3), with the United States Coast Guard at coastal air stations; at sea with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy; with the Soviet Navy; and with the Royal Australian Air Force.

The Naval Aircraft Factory OS2N was the designation of the OS2U-3 aircraft built by the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The OS2U first flew on 1 March 1938.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Design and development== left|thumb|OS2U Kingfisher in 1944 In the late 1930s, Vought engineer Rex Beisel was tasked with designing an observation monoplane aircraft for the U.S. Navy suitable for many tasks, including directing battleship fire. In replacing the standard biplane observation aircraft with a more modern monoplane design, Beisel incorporated innovations making it the first production type to be assembled with spot welding, a process Vought and the Naval Aircraft Factory jointly developed to create a smooth fuselage that resisted buckling and generated less drag. Beisel also introduced high-lift devices and spoilers. In a unique arrangement, deflector plate flaps and drooping ailerons were located on the trailing edge of the wing to increase the camber of the wing and thus create additional lift.<ref name="Noles"/> Beisel's first prototype flew in 1938, powered by an air-cooled, {{cvt|450|hp}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-4 Wasp Junior radial engine.<ref name="Noles">{{cite web|last=Noles Jr.|first=James|url=http://www.serviceclub.org/air_space_catapult_crews_layout-fm05.pdf|title=Old, slow and ugly|date=February–March 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907140343/http://www.serviceclub.org/air_space_catapult_crews_layout-fm05.pdf|archive-date=2008-09-07|url-status=dead|website=Air and Space|page=66}}</ref>

For combat missions, the pilot had a {{cvt|0.30|in|2}} Browning M1919 machine gun, the receiver mounted low in the right front cockpit, firing between the engine cylinder heads, while the radio operator/gunner manned another {{cvt|0.30|in|2}} machine gun (or a pair) on a flexible Scarff ring mount. The aircraft could also carry two {{cvt|100|lb}} bombs or two {{cvt|325|lb}} depth charges.<ref name="Noles"/><ref name="CGAH">{{cite web|url=https://cgaviationhistory.org/aircraft_/vought-os2u-2-3-kingfisher/|title=Vought OS2U-2 / 3 "Kingfisher"|author=|website=Coast Guard Aviation Association|publisher=United States Coast Guard Aviation History|access-date=2023-01-07|archive-date=14 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240814184925/https://cgaviationhistory.org/aircraft_/vought-os2u-2-3-kingfisher/|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, the "Kingfisher", as it was designated, served as a trainer in both its floatplane and landplane configurations.<ref>Hickman 2010, p. 59.</ref>

==Operational history== thumb|left|Aviation cadet in OS2U Kingfisher at the Naval Air Base, Corpus Christi, Texas [[File: Vought OS2U Kingfisher with rescued airmen off Truk on 1 May 1944 (80-G-227991).jpg|thumb|right|Downed American airmen near Truk await rescue from USS ''Tang'' on the wings of an OS2U Kingfisher, 1 May 1944]] {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = USS Iowa (BB-61) Planes.jpg | width1 = 220 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = USS Missouri recovers its Vought OS2U Kingfisher aircraft.jpg | width2 = 120 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = {{USS|Iowa|BB-61|2}} launches (left) while {{USS|Missouri|BB-63|2}} recovers (right) Vought OS2U Kingfishers in 1944. }}

The first 54 Kingfishers were delivered to the U.S. Navy beginning in August 1940, and 6 had been assigned to the Pearl Harbor–based Battle Force before the end of the same year. Many of the following 158 OS2U-2s were attached to flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, but 53 were assigned to equip the newly established Inshore Patrol Squadrons, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. In 1942, nine more Inshore Patrol Squadrons were established, all exclusively equipped with OS2N-1s built by the Naval Aircraft Factory.<ref>Bowers 1990, p. 447.</ref>

The Kingfisher was widely used as a shipboard, catapult-launched scout plane on U.S. Navy battleships, heavy cruisers, and light cruisers during World War II and played a major role in support of shore bombardments and air-sea rescue. Two examples showing the plane's rescue capabilities include the recovery of World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker and his crew from the Pacific in November 1942<ref>Doll and Jackson 1975, pp. 122–123</ref> and Lieutenant John A. Burns' unique use of the aircraft on 30 April 1944 to taxi airmen rescued from Truk Lagoon to the submarine {{USS|Tang|SS-306|2}}, which was serving rescue duty near the atoll. In all, Burns rescued ten survivors on two trips<ref>Doll and Jackson 1975, pp.123, 127.</ref> and was awarded the Navy Cross for his efforts.

The United States Coast Guard received 76 OS2U-3 Kingfishers starting in 1942 and employed them in anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance, and search and rescue roles. No Coast Guard Kingfisher is credited with sinking any enemy submarines; however, they were successful in rescuing sailors from ships sunk by enemy torpedoes. The Coast Guard operated Kingfishers until October 1944.<ref name="CGAH"/>

Australia received 18 Kingfishers from a batch of aircraft ordered by the Dutch East Indies that was diverted to Australia in 1942. They were initially used as training aircraft for pilots destined for flying boats, but in 1943 they were used to equip No. 107 Squadron RAAF, which carried out convoy escort duties until disbanded in October 1945.<ref name="Vincent p54-9">Vincent 1998, pp. 54–59.</ref> One Kingfisher was used in support of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition in 1947–48.<ref name="Vincent p61-2">Vincent 1998, pp. 61–62.</ref>

Throughout its U.S. Navy service, the OS2U and even its predecessor, the Curtiss SOC Seagull, served much longer than planned, as the planned successor, the Curtiss SO3C Seamew, suffered from an insufficiently powerful engine which was a complete failure.<ref>Bowers 1990, p. 164.</ref> The OS2U was only slowly replaced in the latter stages of World War II with the introduction of the Curtiss SC Seahawk, the first examples reaching the U.S. Navy in October 1944.<ref>Bowers 1990, p. 169.</ref>

==Variants== [[File:OS2N-1 Kingfisher at Naval Aircraft Factory 1941.jpg|thumb|An OS2N-1 at the Naval Aircraft Factory, 1941.]] ;XOS2U-1 :Prototype Vought Model VS.310 powered by a {{cvt|450|hp|0}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-4 engine, one built. ;OS2U-1 :Initial production variant as the prototype but powered by a {{cvt|450|hp|0}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-48, 54 built. ;OS2U-2 :Production variant with minor equipment changes and powered by a {{cvt|450|hp|0}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-50, 158 built. ;OS2U-3 :Based on the OS2U-2 with self-sealing fuel tanks, armour protection, two {{cvt|0.30|in|2}} guns (dorsal and nose mounted), and able to carry {{cvt|325|lb}} of depth charges or {{cvt|100|lb}} bombs, powered by a {{cvt|450|hp|0}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN2 engine, 1006 built. ;OS2U-4 :Two aircraft converted with narrow-chord and high-aspect ratio wings, also fitted with full-span flaps. Not developed. ;OS2N-1 :Naval Aircraft Factory built OS2U-3 with a {{cvt|450|hp|0}} Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-2 or -AN-8 engine, 300 built. ;Kingfisher I :British designation for the OS2U-3, 100 delivered to the Royal Navy.

==Operators== thumb|An OS2U of 107 Sqn RAAF. [[File:Vought Kingfisher 778 NAS at Arbroath c1942.jpg|thumb|A Fleet Air Arm 778 NAS Kingfisher at Arbroath.]] thumb|US Navy OS2U hoisted aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63), 1944 ;{{AUS}} *Royal Australian Air Force **No. 107 Squadron RAAF ;{{CHI}} : 15 aircraft, operated 1942–1957. ;{{CUB}} * Cuban Naval Aviation : Operated four aircraft between 1942 and 1959. ;{{DOM}} :(Three aircraft) ;{{MEX}} * Mexican Navy : Six aircraft, 201 Squadron. ;{{NLD}} : 24 aircraft, not delivered in time for hostilities. ;{{USSR}} *Soviet Naval Aviation : 2 aircraft on the ship USS ''Milwaukee'' (Murmansk) ;{{UK}} *Fleet Air Arm : Received 100 aircraft. ;{{USA}} *United States Navy *United States Marine Corps *United States Coast Guard—76 aircraft.<ref name="CGAH" /> ;{{URU}} *Uruguayan Navy : Received six OS2U-3s in 1942 to 1959 under Lend Lease.<ref>Steinemann ''Air International'' February 1992, p. 73.</ref>

==Aircraft on display== thumb|Vought OS2U Kingfisher Chilean Navy. thumb|Cuban Vought-Sikorsky Kingfisher. At least eight Kingfishers survive in collections of historic aircraft around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aero-web.org/locator/manufact/vought/os2u.htm|title=Vought OS2U (Kingfisher)|website=Aviation Enthusiast Corner|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403011304/http://www.aero-web.org/locator/manufact/vought/os2u.htm|archive-date=2012-04-03|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Australia=== ; OS2U-3 *5985 – Whale World, Albany, Western Australia. It is waiting to be restored. Originally built for the Netherlands Navy in the Dutch East Indies, it was transferred to the RAAF in 1942, serving with Seaplane Training Flight (later 3 OTU) and 107 Sqn before being sold as war surplus in 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Vought-Sikorsky-OS2U-3-Kingfisher/0464660|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/5985 in Australia|website=airliners.net|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-date=25 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525021631/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled/Vought-Sikorsky-OS2U-3-Kingfisher/0464660|url-status=live}}</ref> Now with Pioneer Aero Ardmore New Zealand for restoration, see below.

===Chile=== ;OS2U-3 *5925 – Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio, Santiago.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museoaeronautico.cl/espanol/pop-ficha.php?id=29|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/5925 in Chile|website=museoaeronautico.cl|language=es|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617112636/http://www.museoaeronautico.cl/espanol/pop-ficha.php?id=29|archive-date=2008-06-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Cuba=== ;OS2U-3 *09650 (marked #50) – Museum of the Revolution (Museo de la Revolución), Havana, Cuba. It is fitted with fixed landing gear rather than a float.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cuba---Navy/Vought-Sikorsky-OS2U-3-Kingfisher/1388352/%26sid%3D6b70a9175282f6f3eebf9e08e4ccc491|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/Unknown in Cuba|website=airliners.net|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-date=7 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107174212/http://www.airliners.net/photo/Cuba---Navy/Vought-Sikorsky-OS2U-3-Kingfisher/1388352/%26sid%3D6b70a9175282f6f3eebf9e08e4ccc491|url-status=live}}</ref>

===New Zealand=== ; OS2U-3 *5985 – Pioneer Aero, Auckland, New Zealand. Currently undergoing restoration. Originally built for Netherlands Navy in Dutch East Indies, it was transferred to the RAAF in 1942, serving with Seaplane Training Flight (later 3 OTU) and 107 Sqn before being sold as war surplus in 1945.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pioneeraero.co.nz/project/vought-os2u-kingfisher-2/|website=pioneeraero.co.nz|title=Vought OSU Kingfisher|date=2015-04-28|access-date=2017-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110834/http://www.pioneeraero.co.nz/|archive-date=2017-04-06|url-status=live}}</ref> *5982- Pioneer Aero, Auckland, New Zealand. Currently in Storage for future restoration.

===United States=== [[File:Vought-Sikorsky OS2U-3 Kingfisher.jpg|thumb|OS2U Kingfisher at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.]] ; On display ; OS2U-3 *1368 (marked #60, painted as 0951) – Obtained from Mexico, the aircraft was previously displayed aboard the battleship {{USS|Alabama|BB-60|2}} and is now displayed inside the aircraft pavilion adjacent to the battleship in Mobile, Alabama. The building and the aircraft sustained some damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussalabama.com/aircraft.php|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/1368|website=USS Alabama Museum|access-date=2012-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904084729/http://www.ussalabama.com/aircraft.php|archive-date=2012-09-04}}</ref> *5909 – Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum at Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, DC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19610106000|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/5909|website=NASM|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402171540/http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?id=A19610106000|archive-date=2011-04-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>[[File:USMC-101112-M-4752B-025.jpg|thumb|right|Kingfisher donated by Lynn Garrison to North Carolina Battleship Commission]] *5926 – National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida. It was one of six OS2U-3 Kingfishers that were transferred by Lend-Lease to the National Navy of Uruguay during World War II. This aircraft operated as a seaplane until 1958 and was obtained in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/explore/exhibits-and-collections/aircraft-on-display|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/5926|website=National Museum of Naval Aviation|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409095500/http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/explore/exhibits-and-collections/aircraft-on-display|archive-date=2012-04-09|url-status=dead}}</ref> thumb|Lynn Garrison salvaged Vought Kingfisher from Calvert Island, British Columbia, February, 1965 *3073 (marked #8 based on assigned air group) – On board the battleship {{USS|North Carolina|BB-55|2}} in Wilmington, North Carolina. With the assistance of a Royal Canadian Air Force Piasecki helicopter, Lynn Garrison salvaged this Kingfisher from Calvert Island (British Columbia), during the winter of 1963. It crashed there on a ferry flight to Alaska during World War II. It was initially restored for display by volunteers at Vought Aeronautics in Grand Prairie, Texas<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.battleshipnc.com/AbouttheShip/History.aspx|title=OS2U-3 Kingfisher/Unknown at USS North Carolina|website=battleshipnc.com|access-date=2011-01-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112223637/http://battleshipnc.com/AbouttheShip/History.aspx|archive-date=2011-01-12|url-status=dead}}</ref> and sent to the battleship in 1971. The 2018 restoration of the Kingfisher was managed by a Wilmington resident and the Carolina Chapter of the Flight Deck Veterans Group.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}  ; In storage ; OS2U-3 *09643 – In storage at the Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yanksair.org/collection/vought-os2u-3-kingfisher/|website=Yanks Air Museum|title=Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher|access-date=2018-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030012127/https://yanksair.org/collection/vought-os2u-3-kingfisher/|archive-date=2020-10-30|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=161463|website=Aerial Visuals|title=Airframe Dossier|access-date=2018-10-06|archive-date=6 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006195614/http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=161463|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Specifications (OS2U-3)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Jane's Fighting aircraft of World War II<ref name=JFAoWWII>{{cite book|title=Jane's Fighting aircraft of World War II |editor-last1=Bridgman|editor-first1=Leonard|date=1989|publisher=Military Press|location=New York|isbn=0517679647|edition=1995|page=214}}</ref> |prime units?=imp  |crew=2 |length ft=33 |length in=7.2 |length note= |span ft=35 |span in=10.7 |span note= |height ft=14 |height in=8 |height note= |wing area sqft=261.9 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil='''root:''' NACA 23015; '''tip:''' NACA 23009<ref name="Selig">{{cite web|last1=Lednicer|first1=David|title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage|url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html|website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu|access-date=2019-04-16|archive-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326174850/https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |empty weight lb=3335 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb=4980 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb=6000 |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity={{cvt|144|USgal|impgal l|0}} in an integral wing tank |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN2 Wasp Junior |eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine |eng1 hp=450 |eng1 note=for take-off ::::{{cvt|400|hp}} at {{cvt|5000|ft}}

|prop blade number=2 |prop name=Hamilton Standard constant-speed propeller |prop dia ft= |prop dia in= |prop dia note=  |max speed mph=171 |max speed note=at {{cvt|5000|ft}} |cruise speed mph=152 |cruise speed note=with 75% power at {{cvt|6000|ft}} *'''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|55|mph|kn kph}} |stall speed mph= |stall speed note= |never exceed speed mph= |never exceed speed note= |range miles=908 |range note=with 75% power at {{cvt|6000|ft}} |combat range miles= |combat range note= |ferry range miles= |ferry range note= |endurance= |ceiling ft=18200 |ceiling note= |climb rate ftmin=960 |climb rate note=at {{cvt|4000|ft}} |time to altitude= |wing loading lb/sqft=19 |wing loading note= |fuel consumption lb/mi= |power/mass={{cvt|0.08|hp/lb}} |more performance=  |guns= One fixed, forward firing {{cvt|.30|in|2}} M1919 Browning machine gun with 500 rounds and one {{cvt|.30|in|2}} M1919 Browning machine gun with 600 rounds, flexibly mounted for the observer. |bombs= {{cvt|650|lb|0}} of bombs or depth charges.<ref name="CGAH"/>

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{Portal|Aviation}} {{aircontent |related= |similar aircraft= * Aichi E13A * Arado Ar 196 * Curtiss SOC Seagull * Curtiss SO3C Seamew * Curtiss SC Seahawk * IMAM Ro.43 * Mitsubishi F1M * Edo OSE * Stearman XOSS |lists= * List of aircraft of World War II }}

==Notes== {{Reflist|30em}}

== References == {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book|last=Adcock|first=Al|title=OS2U Kingfisher in Action (Aircraft in Action No. 119)|location=Carrollton, TX|publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications|year=1991|isbn=0-89747-270-5}} * {{cite book|last=Bowers|first=Peter M.|title=United States Navy Aircraft since 1911|location=Annapolis, MD|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=1990|pages=447–448|isbn=0-87021-792-5}} * {{cite book|last1=Doll|first1=Thomas E.|first2=Berkley R.|last2=Jackson|title=Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher|series=Aircraft in Profile|volume=14|location=Windsor, Berkshire, UK|publisher=Profile Publications|year=1974|pages=113–136|isbn=0-85383-023-1}} * {{cite book|editor-last1=Eden|editor-first1=Paul|editor-first2=Soph|editor-last2=Moeng|title=The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft|location=London|publisher=Amber Books|year=2002|isbn=0-7607-3432-1}} * {{cite book|last=Hickman|first=Patrick M.|title=The Aircraft Collection|location=Pensacola, FL|publisher=The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation|year=2010}} * {{cite book|last=Lawrence|first=Joseph|title=The Observer's Book Of Airplanes|location=London and New York|publisher=Frederick Warne & Co|year=1945}} * {{cite book|last=Pattison|first=Barry|title=Kingfisher in the Antipodes|location=Melbourne, Victoria|publisher=Red Roo Models|year=1998}} * {{cite magazine|last=Steinemann|first=Peter|title=Protector of the Plate|magazine=Air International|volume=42|issue=2|date=February 1992|pages=73–78|issn=0306-5634}} * {{cite book|last1=Sturtivant|first1=Ray|first2=Mick|last2=Burrow|title=Fleet Air Arm Aircraft: 1939 to 1945|location=Tonbridge, Kent, UK|publisher=Air Britain (Historians)|year=1995|isbn=0-85130-232-7}} * {{cite magazine|last=Vincent|first=David|title=Kangaroo Kingfishers|magazine=Air Enthusiast|number=77|date=September–October 1998|location=Stamford, UK|publisher=Key Publishing|pages=54–62|issn=0143-5450}} {{refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3901/is_200406/ai_n9446476/pg_1 Wainwright, Marshall. "Kingfisher goes to war" Air Classics, June 2004.] * [https://books.google.com/books?id=vSYDAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+science+june+1941&pg=PA61 "Slingshot Planes" Popular Science, May 1943] also [https://books.google.com/books?id=vSYDAAAAMBAJ&dq=popular+science+june+1941&pg=PA62 page 62] of the same article * [http://www.navsource.net/archives/01/57k1.htm NavSource Online: Battleship Photo Archive Vought OS2U Kingfisher] {{Vought aircraft}} {{USN observation aircraft}} {{ADF aircraft designations}}

OS02U Category:Floatplanes Category:1930s United States military reconnaissance aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Carrier-based aircraft Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1938 Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear Category:Single-engined piston aircraft