OS2U-3 Kingfisher that rescued Rickenbacker - need the Bureau Number

[NNAM]

The OS2U-3 that rescued Rickenbacker was assigned to VS-1-D14 landbased on Funafuti in the Ellice Islands. When this a/c, nicknamed The Bug, first found the B-17's pilot, it was being flown Frederick E. Woodward and gunner Lester H. Boutte. The next day, when Rickenbacker was found, the same a/c was being flown by William F. Eadie and Boutte. There are no war diaries for VS-1-D14. The photos of The Bug we have are front views (see attached), so the BuNo isn't visible. I've read reams of accounts of these rescues, but still no BuNo! I need the BuNo! Please HELP!! Thank you in advance.

 

[mjfur]

This doesn't answer your question, but perhaps some info you don't have already.

National Archives NextGen Catalog

The online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records.

catalog.archives.gov

National Archives NextGen Catalog

The online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records.

catalog.archives.gov

National Archives NextGen Catalog

The online portal to the records held at the National Archives, and information about those records.

catalog.archives.gov

Oct 15, 1942, Page 5, VS-1D14, 15 OS2U-3, 11 Samoa, 4 Funa Futi

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/location-of-us-naval-aircraft-1944/15-10-42.pdf

Nov. 12, 1942, Page 5, VS-1D14, 15 OS2U-3 Samoa
https://www.history.navy.mil/conten...cation-of-us-naval-aircraft-1944/12-11-42.pdf

Dec. 17, 1942, Page 6 (Same as above)

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/location-of-us-naval-aircraft-1944/17-12-42.pdf

 

[NNAM]

After reading reams and reams of accounts of this rescue, I figured out how to find the BuNo in the Aircraft History card microfilm reels - hoping, of course, I wouldn't have to look at 1600 OS2U-3 cards. The BuNo is 5308.