Vought OS2U Kingfisher

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Snautzer01 said:
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VOUGHT KINGFISHER - ORIGINAL AVIATION PHOTO-MOYES & BOWYER COLLECTIONS | eBay

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The Kingfisher looks awkward without its floats. This aircraft, FN656 was evaluated by the A&AEE in April 1942 for British service but it was not ordered, one source stating because of its poor performance - the Supermarine Walrus was no rocketship - but nonetheless, its handling was considered pleasant but elevator trim range was insufficient in the glide. It stalled at 59 mph, and with flaps lowered the ailerons did so too, lateral control being actuated via spoilers. There were issues with carbon monoxide entering the cockpit but gaps and so forth were plugged to prevent this being a problem. Climb performance with an external load was poor and flaps had to be raised slowly, was this why the type was rejected for service?
 
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To me, the most shocking thing I've ever heard about the KingFisher was the story of one that landed in an attempt to rescue a couple of aircrew-men and the plane ended up flipping over when one man attempted to climb on a wing while the other was still swimming. Apparently, these things are so light and the center of gravity so high, the weight of a single man can upset it.

The Kingfisher pilots plucking downed pilots out of the ocean and sometimes having to taxi them to safety are some very brave men, indeed. I always wondered, though, how did it feel watching everyone else in the class get assigned Hellcats, Corsairs, Helldivers, or Avengers and then your name is called for Kingfishers! Were these pilots given special training for the job of spotting naval gun rounds?
 
Popular photo. There's actually 9 "on board". Item from Wiki....

"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."
 
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