Vought XSO2U
Vought-Sikorsky · United States · first flew 1939 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Vought XSO2U was an American observation floatplane developed by Vought-Sikorsky for the US Navy during the late 1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine mid-wing observation floatplane
- Ranger XV-770 engine in the nose
- Two-man crew of pilot and observer
A single-engine floatplane with a monoplane wing set higher on the fuselage than the Kingfisher's.
Specifications
- The Vought XSO2U has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.63 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 306 km/h (190 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It first flew in July 1939. It was intended to replace the Curtiss SOC Seagull as a scout aboard cruisers.
Variants
Only the prototype was built.
Where you'll see it
It proved superior to the Curtiss SO3C in evaluation but failed to win a production contract due to Vought's lack of manufacturing capacity.
Related aircraft
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