USS Massachusetts originally embarked with a complement of three Vought OS2U-2 Kingfishers during World War II. Launched by catapult from Massachusetts' fantail, these planes were used to spot and correct friendly gunfire and to hunt enemy submarines.

Very early in World War II, Massachusetts lost two of her original Kingfishers: One was jettisoned overboard after sustaining irreparable storm damage en route to North Africa, and the other was shot down during the Battle of Casablanca.

For many years, Battleship Cove exhibited a Kingfisher on board the Massachusetts, but in December 1980, this aircraft was returned for restoration to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where it remains on public display.

Let your imagination soar with this aviation workshop.

PHYSICS OF FLIGHT: Celebrate a century of flight as you examine a carrier plane, two helicopter gunships, and more than 300 model aircraft. Construct take-home flying machines as you study the evolution of aviation and thrust technology through activities that decipher scientific laws like Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s Laws of Motion.

Visit Battleship Cove's Education Department to learn more about our workshops.