US Navy Chance Vought 02SU-3/5 Kingfisher model airplane

The OS2U Kingfisher, manufactured by Vought, was the U.S. Navy's first catapult-launched monoplane observation floatplane. The OS2U first flew on March 1, 1938. The OS2U was a compact mid-wing monoplane, with a big central float and small stabilizing floats. Performance was modest, because of its light engine. The OS2U could also operate on fixed, wheeled, taildragger landing gear.

The OS2U came in both float and land-based configurations, and served as observer aircraft, anti-submarine aircraft, and rescue aircraft.

The Kingfisher's most important role during the war was as rescuer of downed aviators, and was second only to the PBY Catalina in this job. On November 11, 1942, a Kingfisher known as "The Bug", which had survived the attack on Pearl Harbor - rescued Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and the crew of the B-17 he was with after they crashed in the Pacific and survived 28 days in life rafts. After rescuing pilot CAPT. W.T. Cherry and four others on November 11, "the Bug" found Rickenbacker's raft the next day. Unable to fly all three survivors back at one go, LT. William F. Eadie, the pilot, taxied the airplane 40 miles through the open sea with Rickenbacker and one crewman lashed to the wings, while the most seriously-ill survivor was stuffed in the rear seat on the lap of ARM1 L.H. Boutte, the crewman. "The Bug" survived this mission and continued to fly throughout the war.

All airplane models are Hand Carved, Hand Painted Mahogany and come fully assembled with removable desk stand.

Dimensions: Wingspan, 18" -Length, 15 1/4" -Scale, 1/24

US Navy O2SU-3/5 KINGFISHER - Air Corps Price $149.95

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02SU-3/5 Kingfisher

02SU-3/5 Kingfisher $149.95

AOS2UTE

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