OS2U Kingfisher

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

A mix of old and new pics of the Kingfisher, all in one place, from the WIX Archives.

Vought OS2U Kingfisher
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 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. It served on battleships and cruisers of the US 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, and with the Soviet Navy. The Royal Australian Air Force also operated a few 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. The OS2U first flew on 1 March 1938.

OS2U Kingfisher being lifted onto a catapult on the USS Missouri, 1944.

OS2U Kingfisher of VO-1 being recovered by the USS Arizona (BB-39) on September 6, 1941

OS2U Kingfisher on the catapult of the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Canberra (CA-70)
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher being placed on the rear catapult of the U.S.S. Arizona, September 6, 1941.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U-1 Kingfisher sits on the catapult onboard USS Pasadena (CL65).
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

USS Iowa (BB-61) launches Vought OS2U Kingfishers in 1944.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

A U.S. Navy Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher floatplane is hoisted on board the USS Missouri (BB-63) after a flight, circa August 1944.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

Vought OS2U Kingfisher on the U.S.S. Missouri (BB-63) shakedown cruise was taken after an abandon ship drill in August 1944.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

Two Kingfishers on the catapults of an unknown capital ship.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

Kingfisher launching off a catapult. [Source: U.S. Navy]

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Kingfisher sitting on the catapult of a capital ship.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher being bombed up.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

Part II

Kingfisher sitting on the catapult of a capital ship.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher catapults from the light cruiser U.S.S. Santa Fe.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher catapults off an unidentified Omaha-class light cruiser.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher being lowered onto a catapult.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher being recovered aboard the U.S.S. Nevada (BB-36).
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher on the catapult of an unidentified cruiser.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher catapults from U.S.S. Texas (BB-35)
[Source: U.S. Navy]

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

Part III

OS2U Kingfisher making a water landing at NAS Jacksonville, FL, circa 1943.
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

A trio of OS2U Kingfisher taxiing.
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

Downed American airmen near Truk await rescue on the wings of an OS2U Kingfisher. A U.S. Navy Vought OS2U "Kingfisher" floatplane, from the battleship USS North Carolina (BB-55) off Truk with nine aviators on board, awaiting rescue by USS Tang (SS-306), 1 May 1944. The plane had landed inside Truk lagoon to recover downed airmen. Unable to take off with such a load, it then taxiied out to Tang, which was serving as lifeguard submarine during the 29 April-1 May carrier strikes on Truk. Official U.S. Navy photograph 80-G-227991.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfishers from NAS Corpus Christi, TX, circa 1941.
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

OS2U Kingfisher flies low over the water as ships in the background participate
in the pre-invasion bombardment of Iwo Jima.
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

OS2U-2 Kingfisher in flight 1942
[Source: U.S. Navy]

USS Iowa (BB-61) launches Vought OS2U Kingfishers in 1944.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

Four U.S. Navy OS2U Kingfishers in an early scheme.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

Three U.S. Navy Vought OS2U Kingfishers (fitted with fixed gear) (OS2U-1 Bu 1714 an 1715 in front) from Observation Squadron VO-3, assigned to the USS Mississippi (BB-41).
[Source: U.S. Navy]

An OS2U-3 Kingfisher assigned to the U.S.S. Miami (CL 89) pictured in flight on February 10, 1945. Note the Donald Duck insignia painted on the tail.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

Part IV

OS2U Kingfisher at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, August 1942.
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

OS2U-1 Kingfisher in the Aleutians.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2N-1 Kingfisher at the Naval Aircraft Factory 1941.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

X0S2U-1 Kingfisher, July 28, 1938
[Source: U.S. Navy]

0S2U-3 Kingfisher
[Source: U.S. Navy]

0S2U-1 Kingfisher
[Source: U.S. Navy]

OS2U Kingfishers facing a sad end
[Source: Mark Allen Collection]

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

Part V - Incidents & Accidents

An OS2U Kingfisher pictured after an errant landing in the waters
off Coast Guard Air Station Salem, MA, June 2, 1945.
[Source: U.S. Navy via Mark Allen Collection]

Vought OS2U Kingfisher damaged by a Typhoon while on board
the USS Astoria, December 19th 1944.
[Source: U.S. Navy via Mark Allen Collection]

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

Part VI - Foreign Operators

OS2U Kingfisher of 107 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force in flight.
[Source: U.S. Navy]

Royal Navy OS2U-3 Kingfisher FN660 (former U.S. Navy Bu. 5821), 1942.
[Source: Unknown]

OS2U Kingfisher of the Royal Australian Air Force in flight.
[Source: Unknown]

A Royal Navy OS2U-3 Kingfisher of 778 Naval Air Squadron going down the slipway at the Fleet Air Arm shore base at Arbroath, Scotland.
[Source: Royal Navy]

OS2U Kingfisher with fixed landing gear of the Royal Navy in flight.
[Source: Unknown]

Royal Navy Kingfisher I, FN656, 1942.
[Source: Unknown]

ffuries · **Posted:** Tue Feb 04, 2020 6:51 pm

On this picture what is the checkerboard item with the flag attached to it, seen just forward of the centerline float?

Oh and where's my manners awesome pictures. I enjoyed them a lot.

Forgotten Field · **Posted:** Tue Feb 04, 2020 7:20 pm

Great photos!

1. The checkered flag is attached to a skid/float. This was towed behind the ship for the retrieving handlers to stand on while placing hoists on the aircraft to be brought aboard.

2. I spoke with a restorer friend about doing a Kingfisher and he told me two things- they were all spot-welded like the Corsair, and that presents problems. The second thing was that an old retired Lieutenant Commander who flew them in WWII was asked by my friend how they flew. The answer was that certain airplanes fly like a bag of sh**, and the Kingfisher flies like two bags of sh**!

marine air · **Posted:** Tue Feb 04, 2020 9:30 pm

I think most of the Navy and Marine flying was difficult , demanding, fatiguing and dangerous. I can’t remember talking to any WW II Navy pilots that said it was a cake walk or great fun. They were pushed to the limit. That being said, I believe the Kingfisher, flown today in peacetime would be a joy to fly. I don’t know exactly why they say it will cost $2.5 million to restore one to airworthy.
Firewall forward it has the R-985 engine and Hamilton Standard prop similar to the BT-13, Staggerwing, Lockheed 12, Howard DGA, etc. that’s easy enough. The control surfaces are fabric covered, that seems easy enough. Instruments, seats , throttle quadrants are all American made and plentiful. So we are really just talking about the fuselage and wings. Ezell Aviation and a couple other shops know Vought air raft really well.
Last, I’d probably restore it on its landing gear and save a million bucks. Or, put it on a coup,e of Edo amphib floats and go have fun. It’s not worth restoring the main float to seaworthy standards for an airplane that the owner may or may not ever put on the water.

WIX_Archive · **Joined:** Wed Jul 11, 2018 12:32 pm **Posts:** 198

Part VII

OS2U Kingfisher scout planes aboard USS Albemarle (AV-5) 1942.

Chance-Vought OS2U Kingfisher gunnery runs on a target sleeve, 1942

Chance-Vought OS2U Kingfisher in the South Pacific 1943

LysanderUK · **Joined:** Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:01 pm **Posts:** 271

Beautiful pictures, lots of interest there. Love the paintjob on the one taxiing off the slipway in the Aleutians, red-border stars and bars and neat looking white bands on the tail (Unit marking? Theatre recognition stripes?).

Regards survivors, isn't there a potentially airworthy example in Australia? Any recent news?

ErrolC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 06, 2020 4:26 pm

Kermit Weeks moved his project to Pioneer Aero in NZ from Australia

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/27302 ... er-pioneer

My photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/a ... 419434675/

LysanderUK · **Joined:** Sun Feb 21, 2010 2:01 pm **Posts:** 271

Thanks very much Errol, great to see it's still an active project.

ErrolC · **Posted:** Thu Feb 06, 2020 5:17 pm

Well, in a queue that is moving, at least one of Pioneer's three P-40 projects is ahead of it :-)

sandiego89 · **Joined:** Mon May 21, 2012 12:28 pm **Posts:** 1199

I believe the Jerry Yagens example will be before Kermits. Excited to see one fly, even if on the uglier wheels. Last flight with Cuba perhaps @1959? or Uruguay?

Forgotten Field wrote:

…...

1. The checkered flag is attached to a skid/float. This was towed behind the ship for the retrieving handlers to stand on while placing hoists on the aircraft to be brought aboard....

Forgotten, I believe the skid was just towed behind the cruiser/battleship and there was a small hook on the centerline float to snag the skid. This kept the aircraft in a steadier position for the crane. The aircrew attached/detached the hoisting sling, there was not anyone standing on the skid. the SC-1 pilot got to do it all by himself! Happy to be corrected.

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OS2U Kingfisher

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