Naval Aircraft Factory XOSN
| XOSN-1 | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Role | Observation floatplane |
| Manufacturer | Naval Aircraft Factory |
| First flight | May 1938 |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
| Number built | 1 |
The Naval Aircraft Factory XOSN was an American biplane observation floatplane developed by the Naval Aircraft Factory for the United States Navy during the late 1930s.
Design and development[edit]
In 1936, the Navy asked all interested aircraft manufacturers to submit bids for a new observation-scout aircraft, capable of operating from either water or land, but primarily intended for service on battleships and cruisers for gunnery spotting.[1]
Three companies – Stearman Aircraft, Vought and the Naval Aircraft Factory - submitted aircraft to meet the requirements. The Naval Aircraft Factory design, assigned the designation XOSN-1,[2] was a two-seat biplane of mixed metal and fabric construction, with the pilot and observer seated in tandem in a fully enclosed cockpit. Innovations included automatic leading-edge slats on the upper wing and an I-strut bracing system that eliminated the need for interplane bracing wires. Provisions were made for either float or wheeled landing gear of a conventional taildragger type.
Operational history[edit]
The XOSN-1 was delivered for official trials in May 1938 and evaluated along with the other entrants. After Vought's monoplane XOS2U-1 was selected for production, the XOSN-1 was assigned to the Naval Academy at Annapolis where it was used as a trainer until mid-1944.[2]
Operators[edit]
Specifications (XOSN-1)[edit]
Data from [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (pilot and observer)
- Length: 34 ft (10 m)
- Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
- Height: 13 ft (4.0 m)
- Wing area: 376 sq ft (34.9 m2)
- Empty weight: 3,771 lb (1,710 kg)
- Gross weight: 5,516 lb (2,502 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine, 550 hp (410 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kn) at 6,000 feet (1,800 m)
- Range: 925 mi (1,489 km, 804 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 14,900 ft (4,500 m)
Armament
- Guns: 1× fixed, forward firing .30 in machine gun; 1× flexibly mounted .30 in machine gun in the rear cockpit
See also[edit]
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Beriev Be-2
- Berliner-Joyce OJ
- Curtiss SOC Seagull
- Fairey Seafox
- Mitsubishi F1M
- Stearman XOSS
- Vought O5U
Related lists
References[edit]
- Citations
- ^ Adcock, Al (1991). OS2U Kingfisher in action. Aircraft In Action. Vol. 119. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications. p. 4. ISBN 0-89747-270-5.
- ^ a b c Johnson, E.R. (2011). United States Naval Aviation 1919-1941. Aircraft, Airships and Ships Between the Wars. Jefferson, North Carolina, and London: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 134. ISBN 978-0-7864-4550-9.