First eyes on "Eyes of the Fleet" Kittyhawk's new 32nd Kingfisher test build..

The OS2U Kingfisher observation floatplane is next in the 32^nd scale catalogue from Kittyhawk. This ungainly but strangely attractive aircraft is a great kite to have in many different scenarios on water, the air or on a carrier deck or winch. Let’s look at the pictures of the test kit provided by Kittyhawk.

 

Kittyhawk’s new OS2U Kingfisher test kit build

The latest in a line of quite successful 32^nd scale releases, the latest kit of the recon bird famous for its work in not only the Pacific with the US Navy but many other nations, the OS2U Kingfisher will no doubt be popular with modellers who like navy aircraft and objects not typical to the fighter/bomber world we see so much of.

A little about the Kingfisher first…

In the role of “eyes of the fleet” and as a recon and surveillance aircraft the VS-310 Kingfisher was to prove the most useful and the most used. Incorporating some revolutionary structural techniques including spot welding, the Kingfisher was based upon the Vought company's considerable experience of observation aircraft and was designed to replace earlier Vought biplanes in a similar role. Operating from cruisers and battleships, these aircraft observed enemy ship movements, spotted own ships' gunfire, and performed air-sea rescue missions. 

Layout of the fuselage was similar to that employed in the biplane scouts, as also was the use of a large single float plus underwing stabilizing floats, users could also add a conventional tail wheel undercarriage if needed. 

Chance-Vought's XOS2U-1 was a two place mid-wing monoplane, powered by a 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985-4 nine-cylinder Wasp engine. The initial version designated the XOS2U-1 was first designed as a land plane, and the addition of a single main float and wing-tip floats gave it a seaplane capability. Successful catapult trials aboard the USS West Virginia (BB 48) in August 1938 resulted in a production contract with Vought for fifty-four OS2U-1s to be delivered over a seven-month period from May to December1940.

The OS2U-1, now designated as the "Kingfisher," was armed with a fixed Browning .30-caliber machine gun in the nose, and a flexible .30-caliber gun operated by the radio operator/observer from the rear seat position.

Operationally these birds were very useful to the US fleet in the road back from Pearl Harbour. They sought out enemy fleets, provided information ass the eyes of the fleet and patrolled on the lookout for threats to the navy and located downed airmen and sunken ship’s crewmen. This plane saved a great deal of servicemen’s lives on duty.

Operators included Australia, Chile, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Netherlands, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, United States, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard & Uruguay.

Specifications for the Vought OS2U Kingfisher       

Crew: Two, pilot and observer

Length: 33 ft 10 in

Wingspan: 35 ft 11 in

Height: 15 ft 1.5 in

Wing area: 262 ft²

Empty weight: 4,123 lb

Max take-off weight: 6,000 lb

Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney

R-985-AN-2 radial engine, 450 hp

Performance

Maximum speed: 164 mph

Range: 805 mi

Service ceiling: 13,000 ft

Armament

Guns:

2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919

Browning machine guns

Bombs:

650 lb of bombs

These are the test sprues we have already, the main fuselage and cabin internal walls.…

 The tail,flying services and other small bits.

 The large single float, access ladder, wheels and small side floats along with some small bombs.

 The large wingspan of the kingfisher with rivited surfaces evident here.

 The radial engine in many parts , propeller and cowling here

…And the Kingfisher all built up as the first test shot. This model was made with the assistance of the guys at “Detail & Scale” so you know they have got their facts straight.

This is all we have right now – expect a nice build up when the kit arrives here and any other news as soon as it comes.. Check out Kittyhawk’s website for distributors.