Observation seaplane

Observation seaplanes are military aircraft with flotation devices allowing them to land on and take off from water. Their primary purpose was to observe and report enemy movements or to spot the fall of shot from naval artillery, but some were armed with machineguns or bombs. Their military usefulness extended from World War I through World War II. They were typically single-engine machines with catapult-launch capability and a crew of one, two or three. Most were designed to be carried aboard warships, but they also operated from seashore harbors. As the range of dreadnought battleship guns exceeded the distance from which shipboard personnel could observe shell splashes, observation aircraft were employed to: locate targets observe fall of shot for trajectory correction of large caliber naval artillery, and assess damage to enemy ships. Wartime experience following the 1916 Battle of Jutland indicated additional usefulness for: directing submarines to positions for torpedo kill-shots on disabled enemy capital ships search and rescue missions, and air cover for infantry landing operations. As aircraft carriers replaced battleships during World War II, observation seaplanes became vulnerable to radar-directed fighter aircraft and were reassigned for: reconnaissance and photo intelligence gathering, liaison, and radio communication support for local activities including amphibious operations. Their shipboard roles were replaced by helicopters following the second world war. After the plane was fueled and the engine warmed up, or the engine oil pre-heated, the pilot and observer would climb into their aircraft and rev the engine at full throttle. If the instrument panel readings were satisfactory, the pilot would brace for takeoff and signal the catapult operator he was ready. The United States Navy catapult used a smokeless powder charge to accelerate the plane to per hour. (0 to 80 in one-half second) A capital ship preparing to recover its aircraft would steam into the wind and signal the aviator which way it would turn across the wind to provide a sheltered landing surface.