Thursday 12 December 2019

Vought OS2U Kingfisher, part three

The Vought OS2U Kingfisher was also used by many belligerent countries during the World War 2. Among them, the following ones:

  • United Kingdom: Looking for a replacement for the venerable Supermarine Walrus and the barely used Fairey Seafox, the Kingfisher was lend-leased to the United Kingdom in 1942 with the first machines arriving there in May. They were called "Kingfisher Mk.I". The landplane variant was tested at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at Boscombe Down, in Wiltshire and the floatplane version tested at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, in Helensburg, Scotland. Tests of both variant showed good results, so it was decided to adopt the type on board merchant cruisers. That way, the Kingfisher became the first catapult-launched monoplane to serve with the Fleet Air Arm. It remained in that role until May 1944 when the type was retired from Fleet Air Arm service. Some of them were assigned to the Far East Theatre, but never were used in front lines.
  • Dutch East Indies: The Dutch East Indies ordered a batch of 24 Kingfisher to be used in their air-force for recon duties. They were already painted and in a cargo ship on their way to Batavia, when the Dutch East Indies were conquered by the Japanese in 1942. The cargo ship was diverted to Australia instead, where the Kingfisher were put into service with the Royal Australian Air Force.
  • USSR: On 20th April 1944 the US Navy transferred the light cruiser USS Milwaukee (CL-5) to the Soviet Northern Fleet, based in Murmansk. The Soviets renamed the cruiser as 'Murmansk' and, on board, there were two Kingfishers which were extensively tested by the Soviets and later for patrol duties using the catapult-launch technology. They served in Soviet colours until 16th March 1949 when the Murmansk was given back to the US Navy.









Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_OS2U_Kingfisher
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Milwaukee_(CL-5)
3. http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2007/10/fleet-air-arm-models-02.htm
4. Signal Squadron - Aircraft In action 119 - OS2U Kingfisher in Action

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