https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vought_O2U_Corsair
The Vought O2U Corsair was a 1920s biplane scout and observation aircraft. Made
by Vought Corporation, the O2U was ordered by the United States Navy (USN) in
1927. Powered by a 400 hp (298 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp engine, it
incorporated a steel-tube fuselage structure and a wood wing structure with
fabric covering. Many were seaplanes or amphibians.
Two prototypes were ordered in 1926 and tested by the Navy Trial Board before
the first production batches were ordered. In 1927, a total of 291 O2Us were
produced. The O2U-2, -3 and -4 were ordered in 1928 with minor changes. By 1930
they were being superseded by the O3U which was basically similar to the O2U-4,
one variant of which was fitted with the Grumman float, and were manufactured
until 1936. A total of 289 were built. Many of them had cowled engines and some
had enclosed cockpits.
Role
Observation
National origin
United States
Manufacturer
Vought
Introduction
1926
Primary users
United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
United States Coast Guard
Number built
580
The 600-690 hp (448-515 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1690-42 Hornet engine was used to
power Corsairs designated SU-1 to SU-4. The change in designation reflected
their role as scouts. A total of 289 SU designated aircraft were built for the
USN. No less than 141 Corsairs were still serving with the US Navy and Marines
when the US entered World War II.
Export versions included the Corsair V-65F, V-66F and V-80Fp for the Argentine
Navy, the V-80P for the Peruvian Air Force, and the V-85G for Germany. China
purchased Corsair variants V-65C and V-92C. Brazil purchased 36 aircraft V-65B,
some hydroplanes V-66B and 15 V-65F.
Thailand used their Corsairs in the Battle of Ko Chang against the French navy.
The most famous "combat" operation of this aircraft was shooting the original
King Kong off of the Empire State Building.
Vought would use the Corsair name again for the F4U fighter in 1938, and the LTV
A-7 Corsair II attack bomber in 1963.
Specifications (SU-4 Corsair)
General characteristics
Crew: Two
Length: 27 ft 5.5 in (8.37 m)
Wingspan: 36 ft (10.97 m)
Height: 11 ft 4 in (3.45 m)
Wing area: 337 ft2 (31.31 m2)
Empty weight: 3,312 lb (1,502 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 4,765 lb (2,161 kg)
Performance
Maximum speed: 167 mph at sea level (269 km/h)
Range: 680 miles (1,094 km)
Service ceiling: 18,600 ft (5,670 m)
Armament
3x .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns, one forward firing and two on a
trainable mount in rear cockpit
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