Loening OL-4
Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation · USA · first flew 1926 · light aircraft
The OL-4 was a variant of the Loening OL sesquiplane amphibian, one of the successive Navy marks that introduced engine changes while retaining the proven amphibian airframe.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Loening OL-4 amphibian sesquiplane biplane
- US Navy amphibian observation, Wright engine variant
- Central float biplane with wheel amphibian undercarriage
Same Loening sesquiplane silhouette as all OL variants — unequal-span biplane with the distinctive central hull float, retractable wheels, and single tractor radial engine.
Specifications
- The Loening OL-4 has a length of 9.6 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.7 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 198 km/h (123 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The OL-4 continued the Loening OL family's service with the US Navy in the observation role; the variant sequence tracked engine availability and improvements through the mid-to-late 1920s as the design matured.
Variants
Part of the OL-2 through OL-9 continuum; the OL-4 and its immediate siblings used Wright radial engines in place of earlier Liberty variants, improving reliability and reducing maintenance.
Where you'll see it
Served in US Navy observation squadrons and also with Marine Corps units requiring an amphibious capability in the late 1920s.
Related aircraft
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