OS2U Kingfisher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
The OS2U was the main shipboard observation aircraft used by the United States Navy during World War II and 1,519 of the aircraft were built. The OS2U served on the battleships and cruisers of the USN, as well as with the US 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.
[edit] Operators
Argentina
Australia - Royal Australian Air Force
Chile
Dominican Republic
Mexico (201 Squadron)
Soviet Union
United Kingdom: Royal Navy
United States United States Navy US Coast Guard
Uruguay
[edit] Specifications (OS2U-3)
General characteristics
- Crew: Two, pilot and observer
- Length: 33 ft 0 in (10.08 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.69 m)
- Height: 15 ft 1 in (4.60 m)
- Wing area: 262 ft² (24 m²)
- Empty weight: 4,123 lb (1,870 kg)
- Loaded weight: lb (kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6,000 lb (2,721 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-2 radial engine, 443 hp (330 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 164 mph (264 km/h)
- Range: 1,155 mi (1,860 km)
- Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,960 m)
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg)
Armament
- 2x .30 machine guns
- 650 lb (295 kg) of bombs
[edit] Related content
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
OSU - OS2U
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