United States' Vought OS2U Kingfisher land and floatplane

Photos

OS2U-1 Kingfisher:	OS2U-1 Kingfisher: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	OS2U-1 Kingfisher: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook
OS2U-2 Kingfisher:
OS2U-3 Kingfisher:	OS2U-3 Kingfisher:
OS2U Kingfisher:
OS2U Kingfisher land and floatplane:

Design

Development of the Kingfisher started in 1937.^1,2 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.^1,3

Prototype

The XOS2U-1 prototype first flew on July 20, 1938.^1,2

Production

• Vought XOS2U-1: 1¹
• Vought OS2U-1: 54¹
  • Manufacturer: Vought at Stratford, Connecticut¹, United Aircraft Company²
• Vought OS2U-2: 158¹
  • Manufacturer: Vought at Stratford, Connecticut¹
• Vought OS2U-3: >1,000², 1,006¹
  • Manufacturer: Vought at Stratford, Connecticut¹
• Vought OS2N-1: 300¹
  • Manufacturer: Naval Aircraft Factory at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania¹
• Total: 1,519^1,2
  • Production: 1940 - 1942^1,2

Variants

• Vought XOS2U-1: Prototype.¹
• Vought XOS2N-4: Experimental prototype with narrow chord wings and revised aerofoil.¹
• Vought OS2U-1: Entered service in August 1940.¹
• Vought OS2U-2: Entered service in late 1940.¹ Had some equipment changes.¹
• Vought OS2U-3: Added fuel capacity.¹ More armor protection for the pilot and observer/gunner.¹ Entered service in 1941.¹
• Vought OS2N-1: Similar to the OS2U-3.¹
• Vought 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)², 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.^1,3 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

Specifications

	Vought OS2U Kingfisher	Vought OS2U-1 Kingfisher	Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher
Type	Reconnaissance floatplane1, Reconnaissance land plane1	Reconnaissance2,3	Reconnaissance floatplane1
Crew	21	22	21
Engine (Type)	Pratt & Whitney R-985-48 Wasp Junior1	1: Pratt & Whitney R-985-48 Wasp Jr.2 1: Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior3
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	Radial3, Radial 92
Cooling		Air2
HP	4501	4003, 4502
Propeller blades	21
Dimensions
Span		35' 11"2, 36'3	35' 11"1 10.95 m1
Length		33' 10"2,3	33' 10"1 10.31 m1
Height		15' 1"2	15' 1.5"1 4.61 m1
Wing area
Weight
Empty			4,123 lb1 1,870 kg1
Loaded		4,725 lb3, 6,000 lb2	6,000 lb1 2,722 kg1
Performance
Speed		175 mph3
Speed @ 5,500' / 1,676 m		164 mph2	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		19,500'2	13,000'1 3,962 m1
Range		805 miles2, 1,000 miles3	805 miles1 1,295 km1
Armament		2: MG2
Nose	1: 0.3" MG1
Rear cockpit	1: 0.3" MG1
Bombs	650 lb1 295 kg1