O2U-2 Corsair

The Vought O2U-2 Corsair was a versatile biplane scout‑observation aircraft that entered service with the United States Navy in the late 1920s. Developed from the earlier O2U-1, the -2 version incorporated a more powerful 450‑horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp radial engine, which gave it a top speed of roughly 150 mph and improved climb performance. Its mixed construction of steel tube fuselage, wooden wings and fabric covering provided a sturdy yet lightweight airframe, while the conventional tandem cockpit accommodated a pilot and observer equipped with radios and photographic gear. The O2U‑2 could be fitted with a single forward‑firing .30‑caliber machine gun and a rear flexible gun for defensive fire, and it was capable of carrying small bomb loads for light attack missions. Throughout the 1930s the Corsair served on battleships, cruisers and seaplane tenders, conducting reconnaissance, artillery spotting, and anti‑submarine patrols. Its reliability and adaptability made it a cornerstone of naval aviation training, and several examples were exported to foreign services, influencing early carrier‑based aircraft design. The O2U‑2’s operational record helped shape subsequent Vought monoplanes, most notably the famed F4U Corsair of World II. Its legacy endures in modern naval aviation doctrine and aircraft preservation efforts.