{"product_id":"monogram-85-0135-vought-os2u-3-kingfisher-1-48-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","title":"Monogram 85-0135 Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher — 1:48 Plastic model aircraft kit","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer: Monogram\n\u003cbr\u003eKit number: 85-0135\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft: Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher\n\u003cbr\u003eScale: 1:48\n\u003cbr\u003eBarcode \/ UPC: 031445001352\n\u003cbr\u003eKit type: Injection-moulded plastic aircraft kit\n\u003cbr\u003eStatus: Vintage\/discontinued tooling\n\u003cbr\u003eOriginal tooling: 1967\n\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer and kit history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMonogram was one of the major American plastic-model manufacturers and became particularly well known for its extensive range of aircraft, cars and military subjects. The OS2U-3 Kingfisher is an especially old and interesting example of the company's aircraft tooling: the original kit was released in 1967, making it a genuine vintage Monogram mould. A modern modeller who recently built the kit confirms that it dates to 1967 and describes it as a relatively simple kit with good basic fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 85-0135 number is also used in later catalogue and retail records for the kit. Specialist catalogue listings identify it as a 1:48 plastic kit, while Rare Plane Detective records the kit as “Monogram #85-0135 1\/48 OS2U-3 Kingfisher.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is therefore not a modern re-tool: if you have an 85-0135 box, you're dealing with a kit descended from Monogram's 1960s Kingfisher tooling.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents and features\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit represents the OS2U-3, the principal wartime production version of the Kingfisher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe basic kit provides:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Injection-moulded plastic airframe\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Two-seat cockpit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Separate cockpit components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Pilot\/crew representation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Radial engine and cowling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fixed main float\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingtip floats\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Undercarriage components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Propeller\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Machine-gun armament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Clear canopy\/windows\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Catapult-related equipment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne particularly interesting feature is the aircraft's large central float, which gives the completed model its distinctive maritime reconnaissance appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe moulding is very much of its period. The kit is comparatively simple by current 1:48 standards, but this also makes it attractive to modellers who enjoy vintage Monogram kits and restoration builds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA recent detailed build of the 85-0135 describes the kit as “very simple and fits well”, despite its 1967 origins.\n\u003cbr\u003eCatapult equipment\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kingfisher was normally launched from naval ships using a catapult, and the Monogram kit has a particularly interesting connection with this aspect of the aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCurrent collector listings describe the kit as the “Navy Catapult Plan” version and identify the subject as the 1:48 OS2U-3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is worth checking in a second-hand example because the catapult-related parts\/accessories can affect completeness and collector interest.\n\u003cbr\u003eDetail level\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeing a 1967 design, the kit does not have the fine recessed surface detail found on modern 1:48 releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can expect:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Raised surface detail\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Simplified cockpit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Simplified wheel\/float detail\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Basic engine representation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Relatively thick clear parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Straightforward construction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, the fundamental attraction is the unusual subject and vintage tooling, rather than modern surface-detail standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit has also been used as the basis for aftermarket detailing. A modern build of the Monogram 85-0135 used a Flightline Engineering OS2U update set, Eduard Brassin depth charges, Yellowhammer decals and canopy masks, illustrating how much additional detail can be added to the old tooling.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe full-size OS2U-3 Kingfisher\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Vought OS2U Kingfisher was an American observation and reconnaissance aircraft designed primarily for the US Navy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a relatively slow aircraft, but its ability to operate from both ships and land bases made it extremely useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe OS2U-3 was the final major production version and incorporated wartime improvements including self-sealing fuel tanks and crew armour. It used an improved version of the Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kingfisher served aboard numerous US Navy battleships and cruisers, where it was used for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Gunnery spotting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Reconnaissance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Communications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Search and rescue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Liaison\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Air-sea rescue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft's relatively slow speed was actually useful for observation work, although it made the Kingfisher vulnerable when operating near enemy fighters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 1,500 Kingfishers of all variants were produced, and several survive today. A modern historical\/build reference gives the total as more than 1,500, with eight surviving aircraft noted at the time of writing.\n\u003cbr\u003eOS2U-3 operational history\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kingfisher was heavily used during the Pacific War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts most important naval role was spotting the fall of shells from battleship and cruiser guns. The observer could communicate corrections to the ship, allowing the main battery to progressively bracket a target.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe aircraft also performed reconnaissance and rescue duties. Its float-equipped configuration meant it could land on water and recover personnel who had come down at sea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs the war progressed, improved radar, shipboard aircraft and dedicated rescue aircraft reduced some of the Kingfisher's importance, but it continued operating because of its versatility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe OS2U-3's ruggedness and relatively low operating requirements also helped it remain useful despite being outclassed in speed and performance by many later aircraft.\n\u003cbr\u003eAircraft specifications\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe full-size OS2U-3 was approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 10.3 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 10.95 m\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: Pratt \u0026amp; Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Role: observation\/reconnaissance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Configuration: floatplane or land-based aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Typical armament: .30-calibre machine guns, with provision for light bombs\/depth charges depending upon mission\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 1:48 scale, the finished aircraft is roughly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Length: 21.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Wingspan: 22.8 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe float arrangement makes it particularly distinctive in a 1:48 collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Monogram","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509850022268,"sku":"85-0135","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/monogram-85-0135-vought-os2u-3-kingfisher-1-48-plastic-model-aircraft-kit","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}