Edo OSE
(USN Photo)
The Edo OSE was a 1940s American single-seat multi-role floatplane designed and manufactured by the Edo Aircraft Corporation.
They built a limited run of prototypes for testing and evaluation. Initially designated as the XS2E, the XOSE was built entirely from metal. The aircraft was created in single-and two-seat configurations, with the latter being converted from single-seaters for the testing program. Float configuration was the same as the standard modificaion with other similar US aircraft, with a large central float and two small wing-floats, all built in aluminium, which was somewhat of an Edo trademark. The aircraft was also designed to allow the floats to be detached and a fixed wheeled undercarriage to be fitted to allow shore-based operations. The OSE could fold down into a compact package for stowage aboard ship when not in use.
The aircraft’s powerplant was a Ranger 770-8, an inverted V-12 engine that produced 520hp. The Ranger had a few engine problems, particularly with the cooling mechanism, would was notable in the OSE’s test flights. Armament consisted of two .50-calibre Browning heavy machine guns in the wings, plus the ability to carry two depth charges or auxiliary drop tanks. Additionally, two hard points could also carry droppable air-sea rescue sets, and another was designed to allow the carriage of a surface search radar.
The OSE had a top speed of 188 mph (303km/h) and a range of 600 miles (966km). It combined light weight and compact design with a lot more firepower and capabilities than its predecessors. The first flight of the single seater occurred in December 1945, while the first of the two-seaters got into the air in 1947. These were both after the war had ended and this meant, that funding was cut and development slowed down. The floatplane task was replaced when helicopters came into service along with more advanced carrier-based aircraft. Of the ten XOSE of all types built, none have been preserved. (Ed Nash)
(USN Photos)
USN Edo OSE, 1940s.