This Plane Used Its Wings For A Very Strange Reason

As the island-hopping campaigns of the Pacific Theatre raged on, Navy Lt. John A. Burns flew his Vought Kingfisher floatplane on the Truk Lagoon where the American and Japanese troops fought against each other.

That day, Burns executed a mission that would eventually become legendary- rescuing every American pilot he saw stranded in the ocean.

The Kingfisher

In May 1939, Vought was awarded a design contract. Their innovative design, with unique amphibious capabilities, was dubbed the Kingfisher. Between 1939 and 1942, 1,500 were built, making it the cornerstone of naval aviation. The Kingfisher became the cornerstone of Navy vessels until the later stages of WWII.

The Kingfisher had a maximum takeoff load weight of 6,000 pounds and its engines allowed it to reach a maximum speed of 171 mph, a cruise speed of 152 mph, and a service ceiling of over 18,000 ft, with an approximate range of 908 miles.

A Fascinating Aircraft

As soon as Kingfishers are launched from their warships, they immediately head towards their objective- to maintain optimal positioning for accurate observation while staying vigilant for enemy aircraft.

The plane has a .30 caliber machine gun in the nose and a flexible mounted 0.30 caliber in the rear. However, it relies on its accompanying fighter aircraft for protection. They operated in coordinated squadrons with multiple Kingfishers from different ships covering broad ocean sections, acting as eyes of the fleet and enhancing the task force’s surveillance capabilities and range in detecting enemy planes before they’re spotted first.

Notable Contribution

Apart from their reconnaissance, spotting, and submarine hunting roles, they’re also known for rescuing aircrew shot down by the Japanese over the Pacific Theatre.

According to data from the US Navy, the Kingfisher saved more downed fliers in WWII than any other aircraft except for the PBY-5 Catalina.

Extraordinary Feat

One of the most notable ordeals of the Kingfisher happened on April 30, 1944, during a carrier raid against the fortified Japanese base in Truk. Two Kingfishers were dispatched to save a downed carrier pilot. The first Kingfisher was hit and sank in the waters.

Meanwhile, the second, piloted by Lt. John Burns, swooped in, executing a daring landing. Not only was he able to retrieve three stranded aviators, but he also had to taxi safely with the added weight, making takeoff almost impossible.

He brought home additional TBM Avengers’ crews that were ditched into the sea, increasing the number of people aboard to ten people, clinging for dear life on the plane’s wings. Burns taxied his plane to USS Tang, his plane already damaged from the weight of the survivors. Lt. Burns was awarded the Navy Cross for his extraordinary bravery and determination.