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The Vought O2U Corsair Biplane History
The Vought O2U Corsair biplane was
built as an observation and scout aircraft by the Vought
Corporation, New York, for the United States Navy. Construction
consisted of a fuselage, made from tube steel, and wooden wings
covered with fabric. The first production orders were placed after
the successful trials of two prototypes by the Navy Trial Board.
There were many versions of the Corsair O2U biplane, including:
XO-28, O2U-1, O2U-2, O2U-3, O2U-4, O3U-1 O3U-2, O3U-3, O3U-4,
XO3U-5, XO3U-6, O3U-6, SU-1, SU-2, SU-3, XSU-4 and SU-4. Several
were used as amphibians and seaplanes.
Versions of the Vought Corsair
produced for export included: Vought V-65B, V-65C, V-65F, V-66B, V-66E, V-66F, V-80F,
V-80P, V-85G, V-92C, V-93S, V-99M, TNCA Corsario Azcarate and the Vought AXV1.
The Vought O2U Corsair Biplane
Operational History
The SU-1 to SU-4 designations were allocated to the Vought Corsair
biplanes that were used as scouts by the United States Navy. Vought
SU-1 Corsair biplanes served, from 1932 to 1934, aboard the
Lexington class aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and the Essex class
aircraft carrier USS Lexington. Vought Corsair biplanes were also
serving aboard battleships and were used by the United States
Marines and United States Coast Guard. The United States Marine
corps used Vought Corsairs to evacuate casualties from Nicaragua
during the intervention. Many Vought Corsair biplanes remained in
service during WW2. Vought Corsairs also saw action in the
hands of the Mexicans, Chinese, Peruvians and Thais.
Various scale
models, model kits and plans of this aircraft have been available in
the market place.
Vought SU-4 Corsair
Biplane Specifications:
Vought O2U Corsair Crew: 2
Vought O2U Corsair Length: 27ft 5½in (8.37m)
Vought O2U Corsair Wingspan: 36ft 0in (10.97m)
Vought O2U Corsair Height: 11ft 4in (3.45m)
Vought O2U Corsair Wing area: 337ft² (31.31 m²)
Vought O2U Corsair Empty weight: 3,312lb (1,502kg)
Vought O2U Corsair Maximum takeoff weight: 4,765lb (2,161kg)
Vought O2U Corsair Engine: Single Pratt & Whitney R-1690-42 Hornet radial, 600
hp (447 kW)
Vought O2U Corsair Maximum speed: 167mph (269 km/h)
Vought O2U Corsair Range: 680 mi (1,094 km)
Vought O2U Corsair Service Ceiling: 18,600ft (5,670m)
Vought SU-4 Corsair
Biplane Armament:
Guns:
3x .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns
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