O5U
Role	Observation floatplane Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Vought
First flight	8 May 1934
Number built	1

The Vought O5U was a 1930s prototype American observation floatplane to meet a United States Navy requirement for a catapult launched scouting aircraft. The contract was won by Curtiss who went on to produce the SOC Seagull; only one O5U was built.^[1]

Development

The United States Navy contracted three companies to produce prototypes to meet a requirement for a catapult launched biplane, with a central float and folding wings. Douglas produced the XO2D-1, Curtiss the XO3C-1 and Vought the XO5U-1.

The XO5U-1 (serial number 9399) was powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R-1340-12 piston engine^[2] and first flew on the 8 May 1934.^[1]

The contract was awarded to Curtiss and only one XO5U-1 was built. The Status of Naval Aircraft, dated June 1937, listed the XO5U-1 as assigned at Mustin Field at the Naval Aircraft Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^[3] It crashed in May 1938.

Specifications (XO5U-1)

Data from ^[4]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Length: 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft (11 m)
• Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 500 hp (370 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 155 mph (249 km/h, 135 kn)
• Service ceiling: 15,100 ft (4,600 m)