Tuesday 10 December 2019

Vought OS2U Kingfisher, part two

The American floatplane Vought OS2U Kingfisher was supplied to many foreign countries, among them the following ones:

  • Argentina: It seems that, in 1944 one Uruguayan Kingfisher got lost during a flight and had to force land in the Argentinean city of Mar Chiquita. It seems that the aircraft was interned and the crew was returned to Uruguay. However, other sources claim that nine machines were supplied to Argentina in 1942. As the text mentions to Argentine Kingfisher are scarce and there isn't graphical evidence, the drawing should considered as speculative.
  • Chile: The Chilean Air Force got their first Kingfisher in 1942 and were assigned to Grupo Nº2 (Group Number 2). They were employed for recon and patrol duties and were active until 1957, when they were written off. One of them was used by Teniente 1º (1st Lieutenant) Arturo Parodi Alister to fly over Deception Island, in the Antarctica for half an hour in recon and aerial photograph missions as he and his Kingfisher was part of the Chilean expedition that set up the first Chilean permanent base in Antarctica.
  • Cuba: The Cuban Air Force received in July 1942 three Kingfisher in order to perform anti-submarine patrols. They were assigned to the Cuban Navy and served well until the late 1950s. They saw action in the Cuban Revolution too, as they were used for anti-guerrilla operations by the government forces. One Kingfisher was captured by the rebels on 7th December 1958 and was used for bombing the besieged encampment of the garrison in La Maya, making them to surrender. Once the revolution was over and somewhat consolidated, the Kingfisher was written off.
  • Dominican Republic: Three machines were sold to the Dominican Republic, most probably in 1942 and were used in the patrol and reconnaissance roles. They were active until the late 1950s when they were written off. As there isn't graphical evidence of their service with the Caribbean country, the colours and registration should be taken as speculative.









Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_OS2U_Kingfisher
2. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_OS2U_Kingfisher (translated)
3. https://aeropinakes.com/wordpress/1958/05/21/los-primeros-aviones-de-la-far/ (translated)
4. https://www.fach.mil.cl/images/boletin/historico_diciembre18.pdf (translated)
5. http://www.pilotoviejo.com/os2uhistoria.htm (translated)

No comments:

Post a Comment