Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:06:24-5:07:28

Putting OS2U Kingfishers into the First World War

A Second World War Kingfisher could become a fleet-defence fighter and strike aircraft in the much earlier aviation conditions of the First World War.

Alternate HistoryCarrier AviationFleet Air DefenceOS2U KingfisherRoyal NavyWorld War I
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Question

What difference would OS2U Kingfishers make aboard Royal Navy carriers in the First World War?

Short answer

Its later-generation performance could disrupt German naval plans, while allowing it to serve as a fleet-defence fighter and bomb-carrying strike aircraft.

Notes

The scenario gives First World War Royal Navy carriers the much later OS2U Kingfisher. Its performance is judged sufficient to disrupt German naval plans and make it usable as a fleet-defence fighter in that earlier setting. It could also attack with bombs carried under the wings despite its central float. The recalled bomb weights vary and remain uncertain, but the comparison treats them as substantial by First World War standards.