Loughead F-1
Loughead Aircraft Manufacturing Company · United States · first flew 1918 · airliner
The Loughead F-1 "Flying-boat One" was an early American biplane flying boat able to carry eight to ten passengers, built by the Loughead brothers' new company, the forerunner of Lockheed.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.67 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane flying boat with two tractor engines between the wings
- Twin uncovered tail booms carrying two fins and three rudders
- Stabilising floats at the ends of the lower wings
Look for a large biplane flying boat with a boat-like hull, engines between the wings and a twin-boom tail.
Specifications
- The Loughead F-1 has a length of 10.67 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.56 m (74 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Allan and Malcolm Loughead began it in 1916 with help from the young Jack Northrop. It first flew from Santa Barbara Bay on 28 March 1918 and flew to San Diego in April, setting a record for the 211-mile flight.
Variants
The F-1 was converted into the F-1A landplane in an attempt to interest the Army in it as a bomber or transport. The F-1A crashed on a transcontinental attempt and was later converted back into a flying boat.
Where you'll see it
It was tested by the US Navy and later used for sightseeing flights, carrying King Albert and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium among others. It was sold in 1920 and abandoned on a beach.
Related aircraft
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