Vought OS2U "Kingfisher" scout plane, launched from the USS Iowa, heads out to be the long-range eyes of the attack group. Scout planes were first used during WW I as observation or reconnaissance platforms to give commanders eyes to see enemy movements and tactics beyond their visual range and from a birds-eye view. Hot air balloons had been used in this purpose previously, but the airplane was mobile, a definite advantage in range, and in not being a "sitting duck for enemy fighters and artillery. The first naval uses employed standard aircraft launched of of gun turrets, but not being equipped with floats meant either finding land or ditching in the sea when the mission was completed. The addition of floats to the aircraft was a definite plus, and stand-alone catapults in conjunction with cranes and winches to recover returning scouts was a successful solution to a watery landing. The advent of aircraft carriers as a dedicated launch and recovery floating airfield eventually ended the necessity for battleship and cruiser scout planes. Ship models by BeyondVR, Briney, and jjasper123 re-textured and modified. Helldiver and Hellcat aircraft by BeyondVR also re-textured and modified, Vought "Kingfisher" by chipbasschao also re-textured. Models prepared in C4d, PoserPro, and DazStudio; composed, set up, some texture adjustments, lighting, and rendered in DazStudio; finished in Ps CS3.