United States Navy

Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher
The Kingfisher was the U.S. Navy's first catapult-launched monoplane observation aircraft. It came in both float and land-based configurations, and served as observer aircraft, antisubmarine aircraft, and rescue aircraft.

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 land fall with everyone aboard!

 

Role  
 Scout Plane
Crew  
 2 Pilot, observer/gunner
Engines  
One Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-2 or -8, 450 horsepower
Span  
35' 11"
Length  
 33' 10"
Height  
 15' 1"
Max. Speed  
 164 mph
Range  
 805 miles
Armament  

1 x .30 cal forward firing
1 x .30 cal rear firing

Bombload 
two 100 lbs .bombs, or
325 lb. depth charges

 

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