The Sailor
28-02-2008, 14:06
The Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher was the US Navy's most famous catapult-launched monoplane observation floatplane aircraft, with a big central float and small stabilising floats. It came in both float and land-based configurations, and served as observer aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, and rescue aircraft.
The first XOS2U-1 prototype flew on 20 July, 1938. The aircraft entered production in April 1940. The USS Colorado was the first ship to be equipped with OS2Us. 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.
The most famous incident involving a Kingfisher was the rescue of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, who ditched in the Pacific in a B-17 during 1942. A Kingfisher picked up Rickenbacker and two other crew members (who still remained following a rescue the previous day) but the Kingfisher could not take off because the load was too great. The OS2U pilot taxied on the surface over 40 miles to make the nearest landfall with everyone aboard.
A total of 1519 Kingfisher were built. The OS2U not only served on the battleships and cruisers of the USN, but also with the Royal Navy.
The first XOS2U-1 prototype flew on 20 July, 1938. The aircraft entered production in April 1940. The USS Colorado was the first ship to be equipped with OS2Us. 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.
The most famous incident involving a Kingfisher was the rescue of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, who ditched in the Pacific in a B-17 during 1942. A Kingfisher picked up Rickenbacker and two other crew members (who still remained following a rescue the previous day) but the Kingfisher could not take off because the load was too great. The OS2U pilot taxied on the surface over 40 miles to make the nearest landfall with everyone aboard.
A total of 1519 Kingfisher were built. The OS2U not only served on the battleships and cruisers of the USN, but also with the Royal Navy.