Early OS2U Kingfishers of the second section of observation squadron VO-3, therefore assigned to the second ship in the 3rd Battleship Division, USS Mississippi. The division / squadron colour is blue and the second section colour is white. 3-O-4, the section leader's machine, has a white fuselage band and cowling. His first wingman, 3-O-5, has only the top half of the cowling painted white and the second wingman, 3-O-6, the bottom half. Probably brand new, these aircraft, second series BuNos 1714, 1715 and 1716, are fitted with wheels rather than floats here. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

The Curtiss SOC-3 built by the Naval Aircraft Factory for use on battleships and cruisers. This plane was assigned to Observation Squadron Three on the battleship Mississippi.