The Chance Vought SPU-1 Stingray was developed as the US Navy's first dedicated anti-submarine aircraft designed from the outset for that role. The aircraft was a pure flying boat, designed for use from shore bases and seaplane tenders, though it was too heavy for catapults aboard cruisers and battleships. The Stingray was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including ASV radar on a wing-mounted pod and a magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) on a tail-mounted boom. A bow turret was designed to protect the aircraft from submarines' deck gun crews in attacks on surfaced subs, and mounted two .50 caliber machine guns. The Stingray could also carry four 375 lb depth charges or two Mk 24 FIDO torpedoes. Power came from a single 2000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine. The three-man crew consisted of a single pilot, the bow gunner, and a systems operator seated in the rear fuselage. Though crews loved the high speed and power of the Stingray, pilots disliked the relatively small cockpit on long patrol missions, and they inevitably nicknamed the aircraft the "P-U Stinky." Several PU-1s were exported under Lend-Lease to allies such as Cuba, Mexico, and Brazil.
I know the photos aren't too good. I'll try to post better ones later. One photo was intended especially to show the beaching cradle which I built totally from scratch. More photos in next post...