Fleetwings Sea Bird
Fleetwings · United States · first flew 1936 · light aircraft
The Fleetwings Sea Bird, also written Seabird, was an American-built amphibious utility aircraft of the 1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.58 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Amphibious high-wing monoplane
- Single Jacobs L-5 radial engine
- Seats a pilot and three passengers
A high-wing amphibian powered by a single Jacobs L-5 radial engine. It is 9.58 m long with a wingspan of 12.34 m.
Specifications
- The Fleetwings Sea Bird has a length of 9.58 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.34 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was designed under contract in 1934-1935 by James C. Reddig for Fleetwings of Bristol, Pennsylvania, and first flew in 1936. Its construction from spot-welded stainless steel was unusual.
Variants
One prototype and five production aircraft were built.
Where you'll see it
The Sea Bird was an amphibious utility aircraft carrying a pilot and three passengers. It found use with private pilot owners and in the oil support industry in Louisiana, including operation by J. Ray McDermott & Co.
Related aircraft
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