Flying Boats & Seaplanes: A History from 1905Beginning with races that were staged at elegant French resorts in the early part of the century, flying boats and seaplanes have played an integral part in aviation history. World War I spurred the development of these machines, and by the 1930s, flying boats and seaplanes had become pioneers in transcontinental flight. This photo-filled history recalls the role of flying boats and seaplanes in civil and military aviation history, and the enthusiasm of the engineers and pilots who are associated with their development. In addition to the golden years of hydraviation prior to World War II, author Nicolaou examines the decline of the seaplane, and its subsequent renaissance in nations that are today considered seaplane paradises. The saga is illustrated by more than 200 rare photographs uncovered in archives around the globe. |
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aircraft Airways Albatrosses amphibian anti-submarine April attack August biplane bomber bombs Breguet British built CAMS 53s Canadair carried Catalina catapult Caudron Claudius Dornier Clipper competition convoys crew Curtiss December Denhaut Deperdussin designed Dornier Do 24 Dornier Wal engines equipment examples Fabre Farman February feet fighter seaplane fitted flew flight flying boat four France French German Gnome Gnome 80hp Grumman Heinkel Henry Farman hull Imperial Airways Japanese July June Kawanishi Lake Lake Constance land-based landplane Laté launched Macchi Macchi M.39 manoeuvres marine aviation Maurice-Farman maximum speed miles military Monaco monoplane monoplane Gnome naval Nieuport North Atlantic November October operation Pan American passengers patrol pilot propeller prototype reconnaissance Renaux René rescue missions route Saro Schneider Trophy seaplanes September ships Short Sunderland Sikorsky Squadron submarine Sunderland Supermarine takeoff Tellier floats tests tons took torpedo touched transport U-boats U.S. Navy Weymann wing wingspan