Looking for info on VO-1’s OS-2Us assigned to USS Nevada on Dec.7, 41. I remember reading somewhere they were shore based at the time. No floats? Floats and beaching gear? Paint: Silver/yellow or Grey?(found a pic of one off Arizona in Sept 41 in blue/ grey .) Out of curiosity (and CYA incase the PH plan falls through) , what were the OS-2Us like during the Normandy deployment?
I don’t know about the aircraft themselves, but Nevada’s scout plane pilots were amongst those sent ashore to RNAS Lee-on-Solent (HMS Daedalus) as aircrew for the short-lived VOS-7 (a.k.a. VCS-7). During the invasion of Sicily Kingfishers and Seagulls had been slaughtered by the Luftwaffe so to provide spotting for the ships involved in long-range NGS required a more survivable platform - the Spitfire Mk. V… This proved a success and none of the spotting planes (they operated in pairs with one on overwatch) were lost to fighters despite several engagements, indeed the only fatality was one pilot lost to flak on D-Day itself. VOS-7 is believed to be the only USN unit to operate the Spitfire.
Regards,
M
I knew USN used Spits for D-day. Didn’t think about them spotting for Nevada. Musta done a good job. Even one of the German Generals mentioned her by name in his reports. Main interest is in the PH aircraft. As mentioned I seem to remember they were ashore at the time. Don’t know the reason , how the faired , or colors at the time.
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