O2U-1 Corsair

The Vought O2U‑1 Corsair was a two‑seat, biplane scout‑observation aircraft that entered service with the United States Navy in 1930. Developed from the earlier O2U‑2, the Corsair featured a robust welded‑steel fuselage, fabric‑covered wooden wings and a powerful 450‑hp Pratt & Whitney R‑1340‑D Wasp radial engine that gave it a top speed of about 155 mph and a service ceiling of 22 000 ft. Its open cockpit layout provided excellent visibility for artillery spotting and naval gunfire control, while interchangeable wheels or floats allowed operation from carriers, land bases, and seaplane tenders. The O2U‑1 proved versatile in the interwar period, performing reconnaissance, liaison, and limited light‑attack missions throughout the 1930s, and it saw combat in the early stages of World War II with the U.S. Marine Corps and allied forces in China and the Pacific. The aircraft’s reliability, ease of maintenance, and adaptability set a standard for naval scout planes and influenced later Vought designs such as the famed F4U Corsair fighter. Today only a few restored examples survive, reminding enthusiasts of the biplane’s pivotal role in transitioning naval aviation from wood‑and‑fabric craft to more modern, all‑metal aircraft.

Vought

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