OS2U Kingfisher

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USS Missouri recovers a Vought OS2U Kingfisher during her 1944 shakedown cruise. Note the catapult below the plane, which was used to launch the planes off the battleship.

The Vought OS2U Kingfisher was a catapult-launched, observation floatplane. The OS2U was a 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, taildragger landing gear. For the US Navy, the OS2U was with 1519 built the most used shipboard observation aircraft, and the most popular one of World War II --- although the competition included failed aircraft such as the SO3C Seamew. The OS2U served on the battleships and cruisers of the USN, as well as with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Royal Navy and the Soviet Navy. The Royal Australian Air Force also operated a small number of Kingfishers from shore bases.

The Naval Aircraft Factory OS2N was the designation of the OS2U-3 aircraft built by the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Specifications (OS2U-3)

Operators

• Argentina, Australia, Chile, the Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, United States (Coast Guard, Navy), Uruguay, and México with the 201 squadron.

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