The Vought O5U was a 1930s prototype American observation floatplane to meet a United States Navy requirement for a catapult launched scouting aircraft. The contract was won by Curtiss who went on to produce the SOC Seagull; only one O5U was built.[1]
| O5U | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Observation floatplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Vought |
| First flight | 8 May 1934 |
| Number built | 1 |
Development
editThe United States Navy contracted three companies to produce prototypes to meet a requirement for a catapult launched biplane, with a central float and folding wings. Douglas produced the XO2D-1, Curtiss the XO3C-1 and Vought the XO5U-1.
The XO5U-1 (serial number 9399) was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R-1340-12 piston engine[2] and first flew on the 8 May 1934.[1]
The contract was awarded to Curtiss and only one XO5U-1 was built. The Status of Naval Aircraft, dated June 1937, listed the XO5U-1 as assigned at Mustin Field at the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] It crashed in May 1938.
Specifications (XO5U-1)
editData from [4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 500 hp (370 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 155 mph (249 km/h, 135 kn)
- Service ceiling: 15,100 ft (4,600 m)
See also
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Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
edit
- Notes
- ^ a b Michael O'Leary (November 2002). "Heroic Seagull". Air Classics.
- ^ Andrade 1979, p. 205
- ^ Larkins, William T., "U.S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941 / U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft 1914-1959", Orion Books, a division of Crown Books, New York, 1988, Library of Congress card number 88-17753, ISBN 0-517-56920-5, page 202.
- ^ Eckland, K.O. "Vought". USA: Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- Bibliography
- Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.