Beginning in March 1942 the Coast Guard received the first of 76 Kingfishers; The Kingfishers were modified for Coast Guard use and were designated OS2U-3s. Their primary purpose was to provide the Coast Guard’s early anti-submarine efforts along the coastlines of the United States. Area patrols were flown and air cover for merchant convoys was provided.
The Coast Guard purchased two SNV-1s in 1942 for use as proficiency trainers and for various utility duties. They were given Coast Guard Numbers V222 and V223. In 1943 three SNV-1s and four SNV-2s were obtained from the U.S. Navy. They retained their Bureau Numbers. In 1945 two BT-13Bs were obtained from the USAAF. The Navy SNVs were returned to the Navy in 1945. Record cards do not list the date or disposition of V222, V223 nor the USAAF BT-13B
The first PBY obtained by the Coast Guard, V189, was purchased from the Navy in the spring of 1941. It was specially outfitted at Air Station San Francisco with a nine-lens-camera for mapping coastal regions around the country. While the arrangement worked well in the lower 48, after two mapping trips to Alaska the camera was transferred to a newer PBY-5A (PBY BuNo 08055), an amphibian, making it more versatile in the extreme environment of Alaska.
The initial production of 41 aircraft was delivered to civilian customers and the Portuguese Navy. Production then switched filling orders for both the Navy and Coast Guard for a light amphibian utility transport designated as J4F-1. The Coast Guard acquired 25 J4F-1 aircraft purchased in two groups.
The Navy developed the N3N as a training aircraft in 1934. The Coast Guard acquired four of the trainers from the Navy beginning in December, 1940 by trading four Grumman JF-2 “Ducks.” The primary reason for the trade was an effort by the Coast Guard to expedite pilot training, which was expanding during this time in anticipation of war.
The Coast Guard acquired a Lockheed Model 18 (R5O-1), Lockheed registration number 2008, and it was delivered and accepted on 14 May 1940. It was used as an executive transport aircraft.
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“Flying Since The World Was Flat”
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