Kingfisher & Catapult Rig by Buffalo1

Photography • Aviation • posted on Mar 31, 2006

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Description

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see the last "Kingfisher" and especially all the comments. I wish there was one still flying so I could get a take-off shot, but I guess the History Channel is the only place to see it happen.It seems that some of you might be interested in the whole catapult rig, so here it is including the crain and the quad 40 mm guns are an added bonus. And to answer an e-mail question on the Kingfisher's OS2U designation: O (Observation) S (Scout) 2 (second model) U (Navy letter for Vought aircraft).

Comments (7)

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tracker234

8:37AM | Fri, 31 March 2006

Great shot! Talk about being shot out of a cannon. A blank artillery shell was used to propel the plane down that rail and launch it into the air. Then you had to land next to the ship moving at speed, and hook onto a net that was being towed. Once caught, the crane was attached and the whole plane was hoisted up onto the ship. A daunting task to say the least! My hat is off the folks that did it for a living. Thanks for photo of all the parts together.

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claudialee

9:09AM | Fri, 31 March 2006

Excellent Photo! Thank you for giving us the whole picture. My husband was in the Air Force and would have loved these pictures. Thanks again!! With Hugs!!!!!!!

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jcv2

12:13PM | Fri, 31 March 2006

Wow, another stunning shot of this remarakbly catapultable plane! Gorgeous work! :)

soulofharmony

1:23PM | Fri, 31 March 2006

fantastic looking straight down the deck excellent :)

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Buffalo1

5:08PM | Fri, 31 March 2006

Thanks to tracker234 for the full explanation of launch and retrieval of US Navy floatplanes. I've also seen video of retrieval of the old Curtiss "Seagull" biplane. That type also served on cruisers untill the end of 1944!

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