Airframes
Benevolens Magister
RATO packs.
Picture of the day. (28 Viewers)
- Thread starter syscom3
- Start date
With Terry ... the Rocket Assisted Take-Off set ...
the pic source: the net.
Good shots!
MIflyer
Major
OS2N-1, a Naval Aircraft Factory copy of the OS2U, being prepared to launch on an ASW mission from Kodiac AK. I did not know the fixed gear versions were used in combat. I had assumed it was just a configuration that enabled the aircraft to be flown to where the floats could be installed. The NAF built some aircraft of its own design as well as copies of the PBY and OS2U.
Zippythehog
Staff Sergeant
- 1,105
- Jan 7, 2017
Maybe AI?
Why is the gear down?
Zippythehog
Staff Sergeant
- 1,105
- Jan 7, 2017
Hot Dog!
An anchor in shallow water ?
MIflyer
Major
I would presume it would be because they were preparing to pull the airplane out of the water onto dry land, although the background would not tend to indicate that.
After WWII hostilities, there was little use for ship launched observation planes, and most OS2Us were relegated to air station flight proficiency duty with the fixed landing gear. This was the condition of NASM's Kingfisher, and wishing to restore it to the floatplane configuration in which it so nobly served from '38-45, curator Bob Mikesh instituted a long search for a main float.
One was found in Florida, but the owner had a forlorn hope of using it as the basis to build a Kingfisher around. Finally, an abandoned float was discovered in Alaska, flown to NASM in a C-130, and reskinned as needed to enable a complete restoration.
The OS2U used spot welding in its manufacture, a process that Vought and the Naval Aircraft Factory had jointly developed to create a smooth fuselage that resisted buckling and generated less drag. Flaps and drooping ailerons were full span to increase the camber of the wing and thus create additional lift.
The type is renowned as a search and especially rescue plane, finding Eddie Rickenbacker's downed B-17 crew and often landing close to enemy held shores, pulling aircrew from imminent capture. One photo shows an overloaded Kingfisher carrying around ten aboard with water survivors, obviously unable to take off, but taxiing for miles to meet a submarine.
- Thread starter
- #29,632
syscom3
Pacific Historian
German Flettner Fl 282 V2 helicopter with fully glazed cockpit. First flight was
made on October 30, 1941.
made on October 30, 1941.
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Gunner on a Westland Lysander the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
Horsa & Waco Gliders massed at an airfield in England wait to transport airborne soldiers & equipment for Operation Market Garden September 1944 the net
Viking1066
Brigadier General
No tip warning markings on this propeller the net
MiTasol
Major
Normal if you are going to go up the beaching ramp or have just come down the beaching ramp. It can also minimise drift in a strong wind when you are on a lake.
