O2U Corsair
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US scout and observation aircraft
A biplane scout and obervation aircraft. Made by Vought. 2 OS2U-1 were ordered by the United States Navy in 1926. Powered by 400 hp Pratt & Whitley Wasp engine. It had an efficient metal structure and fuselage of steel tubing with cheek fuel tanks moulded to the skin. Many were seaplanes or amphibians.
[edit] Design and development
In 1927, 130 more OS2U-1 were ordered with a fixed 7.62 mm machine gun and a second one on a Scarff ring in the rear cockpit. A bombload of 136 kg could be carried. The Corsair served efficienly with the US Marines during the Nicaraguan action in 1927-28. Corsairs also served on the Carrier Langley .
Vought would use the Corsair name again for with the F4U fighter in 1938 and the A-7 attack bomber in 1963.
[edit] Versions
The O2U-2, -3 and -4 were ordered in 1928 with minor changes.
The O3U Corsair followed in 1930 and were manufactured until 1936. Many of them had cowled engines and some had enclosed cockpits.
The 600-690 hp Hornet engine was used to power Corsairs designated SU-1 to SU-4. The change in designation reflected their role as scouts.
[edit] Operators
Argentina
Brazil
China: China purchased the 42 export versions of O2U-1 from 1929-1933, and 21 export versions of O-3U between 1933-1934 and they saw extensive bombing actions. The O2U-1 versions participated in the Central Plains War and in January 28 Incident against the Japanese targets, while the O3U versions first participated in Battle of Pingxingguan to support the Chinese groud forces, and later against the Japanese targets in Shanghai.
Mexico
Peru
United States: 141 Corsairs were still serving with the US Navy and Marines when the US entered World War II.
