Favourite flying boat?

justin · 10-18-2002, 07:11 PM

What is everybody's favourite flying military flying boat? With the exception of Beriev and Shin Maywa the flying boat is dead (well I should add the Canadair Cl415 which is still offered) which is a great shame as the classic flying boats were some of the most elegant aircraft ever built. My own favourite is the Supermarine Southampton, a wonderful machine. How about everybody else?

Justin

ANTHONY F DUVA JR · 10-18-2002, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by justin
What is everybody's favourite flying military flying boat? With the exception of Beriev and Shin Maywa the flying boat is dead (well I should add the Canadair Cl415 which is still offered) which is a great shame as the classic flying boats were some of the most elegant aircraft ever built. My own favourite is the Supermarine Southampton, a wonderful machine. How about everybody else?

Justin

Don't forget the Chinese HAMC SH-5 (a variant of the Shin Meiwa) with 4 props and two tails !

In the category military aviation, I like the Catalina the best (sometimes called a Canso). Of all flying boats, I think the China Clipper Martin 130.

Sentinel Chicken · 10-19-2002, 01:27 AM

The Martin P6M Seamaster- the only US jet-powered flying boat and one mean-as* lookin' ride. Unlike most flying boats, the Seamaster has very sleek lines and must've been one helluva sight to behold as it "hit the step" just before takeoff. It's amazing that this was a flying boat that had performance to rival land-based aircraft.

DeltaFlot · 10-19-2002, 04:04 AM

I've always been partial to the PBY Catalina. next to my brothers in the submarine force the "Cat" rescued more people lost at sea during WW2 than any one else

justin · 10-19-2002, 06:10 AM

The Martin Seamaster was an incredible machine, another impressive but often overlooked beast is the Beriev A40/Be42 Albatross, if Russia had enough money to develop this to it's full potential it could be a great aircraft. The UK actually considered the Albatross as a Nimrod replacement, but it was never serious, they were just trying to put pressure on BAe and Lockheed to make an attractive bid. The Catalina is one of aviation's genuinely great aircraft, and a favourite of mine. Another few of my favourites are the Shorts Sunderland, Supermarine Stranraer and looking wider than military the great civilian flying boats operated by the great inter war airlines were wonderful machines. In the 1920's and 1930's sea planes often had similar or even better performance to equivalent land based aircraft, for example the Southampton and Stranraer had performance as good as, and in some area's better than, contemporary RAF land based aircraft. Also, in the 1920's and 30's the Schneider trophy races probably did more to drive high speed development than any other single factor, even today the mighty S4, S5, S6 & S6B are magnificent looking aircraft. I always tend to discount Chinese designs as let's face it, not a lot a lot of design expertise is needed to steal Russian designs, ha!!

Let's keep those opinions coming in

Justin

Chansen · 10-25-2002, 12:17 PM

Some were in camo and flew for BOAC.

Lancer72 · 10-31-2002, 08:41 AM

Mine is Grumman Albatross, I've a plastic model-kit of it in 1:72 but it's not finished.

Stanman · 12-03-2002, 04:02 PM

PBY Catalina is my all time favorite for its versatility, endurance, and sheer elegance.

Close seconds are Hughes Spruce Goose for sheer size formerly in Long Beach now up in the NW woods and the Short Sunderland which has a pretty neat mining mechanism I was able to inspect first hand near Cambridge.

Tracon Doug · 12-03-2002, 04:33 PM

This is undoubtedly my favorite: The Boeing 314.

tdh8192 · 12-04-2002, 12:28 AM

Kawanishi H8K 'Emily' - arguably, the best military flying boat of World War II.

DFPlummer · 04-01-2006, 12:54 AM

Here's a photo of my 1/16th-scale, electric powered model of the Martin SeaMaster:

flying_olympic · 04-06-2006, 02:05 AM

the SPRUCE GOOSE!!!! those gigsntic wings and all those engines, tho its very sad it only flew once....

Phantom · 04-06-2006, 03:47 AM

The Latécoère 631 is just a great looking aircraft.

Edit: Oh, I see this old thread is about military boats, so I'd go for Convair R3Y and Blohm&Voss 222.

planenutsfrog · 12-20-2007, 03:34 AM

I love the Martin P5M Marlin...

Prestwick Pioneer · 12-24-2007, 01:01 PM

The Martins Mariner/Marlin/Seamaster, plus the Albatross and PS/US-1s.

But the winner is the Convair R3Y1 Tradewind. Ace machine.

dboyd001 · 12-24-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justin

What is everybody's favourite flying military flying boat? With the exception of Beriev and Shin Maywa the flying boat is dead (well I should add the Canadair Cl415 which is still offered) which is a great shame as the classic flying boats were some of the most elegant aircraft ever built. My own favourite is the Supermarine Southampton, a wonderful machine. How about everybody else?
Justin

..... To me it's a tie between the Short Sunderland and the Boeing 314. Yes, I realise the 314 was primarily an airliner, but I do think Coastal Command had use of a BOAC 314. As a matter of fact, the Sunderland also served as a passenger airliner. Close second has to be the PB-Y5 Catalina.
Dave

Prestwick Pioneer · 12-24-2007, 04:58 PM

Actually, no-one seems to be mentioning the Convair Coronado, operated by NATS (under agreement with PanAm) post-war. A classic design, like the likewise undermentioned Dornier Do-24.

Moomins · 12-24-2007, 11:05 PM

Shorts Sunderland, no question.

SDF · 12-25-2007, 02:43 PM

Martin Mariner for me, but almost any military or civil flying boat is an awesome model.

gospodin · 12-28-2007, 07:23 PM

Dornier Do X, Blohm & Voss BV222, Martin Mariner and Martin Mars, and the Grumman Mallard...along with the B-314.

Cambridge Flyer · 01-28-2008, 04:59 PM

Not even a mention of the Sanders Roe SR45 Princess Flying Boat?
..and yes there were plans for a millitary version.
"
Well that is my first choice for favourite flying boat.

Can we have W.I.G. craft?

If so scrap the SR45(which they did),and i`ll have the KM Caspian Sea Monster first!

Adrian · 01-28-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancer72

Mine is Grumman Albatross, I've a plastic model-kit of it in 1:72 but it's not finished.

Hear, hear! Mine is also the Grumman Albatross. I have one Monogram kit built and four more to build! An absolute classic!

TexAV8R · 01-29-2008, 09:58 AM

Shorts Sunderland, Boeing 314 and the Kawanishi H6K

The Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" & H8K "Emily" Flying Boats

Mystère · 01-29-2008, 11:19 AM

First, I love ANY flying boat ! Second, I DO love the Lioré et Olivier H.470 :
http://www.seawings.co.uk/leoh470-24.htm

D-AIHC · 02-03-2008, 02:02 PM

Although it had a short lifespan and not many were built, I will have to say the Do-X:

Chansen · 02-03-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-AIHC

Although it had a short lifespan and not many were built, I will have to say the Do-X:

Got the model of that one by my Hindinburg!

TexAV8R · 02-05-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-AIHC

Although it had a short lifespan and not many were built, I will have to say the Do-X:

10-18-2002, 07:11 PM	#1
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	Favourite flying boat? What is everybody's favourite flying military flying boat? With the exception of Beriev and Shin Maywa the flying boat is dead (well I should add the Canadair Cl415 which is still offered) which is a great shame as the classic flying boats were some of the most elegant aircraft ever built. My own favourite is the Supermarine Southampton, a wonderful machine. How about everybody else? Justin

10-19-2002, 01:27 AM	#3
Sentinel Chicken Go-Getters Go Ozark Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DFW/THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS Posts: 4,167	The Martin P6M Seamaster- the only US jet-powered flying boat and one mean-as* lookin' ride. Unlike most flying boats, the Seamaster has very sleek lines and must've been one helluva sight to behold as it "hit the step" just before takeoff. It's amazing that this was a flying boat that had performance to rival land-based aircraft. __________________ *Piss on noise abatement!*

10-19-2002, 04:04 AM	#4
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 35 Posts: 3,228	I've always been partial to the PBY Catalina. next to my brothers in the submarine force the "Cat" rescued more people lost at sea during WW2 than any one else __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.

10-25-2002, 12:17 PM	#6
Chansen Insane Collector Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 2,883	Boeing 314 Clipper! Some were in camo and flew for BOAC.

10-31-2002, 08:41 AM	#7
Lancer72 Senior Collector Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dortmund, Germany Age: 24 Posts: 264	Mine is Grumman Albatross, I've a plastic model-kit of it in 1:72 but it's not finished. __________________ For everyone who wants to contact me: raveronalk@hotmail.com

10-19-2002, 06:10 AM	#5
justin Insane Collector Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 2,005	The Martin Seamaster was an incredible machine, another impressive but often overlooked beast is the Beriev A40/Be42 Albatross, if Russia had enough money to develop this to it's full potential it could be a great aircraft. The UK actually considered the Albatross as a Nimrod replacement, but it was never serious, they were just trying to put pressure on BAe and Lockheed to make an attractive bid. The Catalina is one of aviation's genuinely great aircraft, and a favourite of mine. Another few of my favourites are the Shorts Sunderland, Supermarine Stranraer and looking wider than military the great civilian flying boats operated by the great inter war airlines were wonderful machines. In the 1920's and 1930's sea planes often had similar or even better performance to equivalent land based aircraft, for example the Southampton and Stranraer had performance as good as, and in some area's better than, contemporary RAF land based aircraft. Also, in the 1920's and 30's the Schneider trophy races probably did more to drive high speed development than any other single factor, even today the mighty S4, S5, S6 & S6B are magnificent looking aircraft. I always tend to discount Chinese designs as let's face it, not a lot a lot of design expertise is needed to steal Russian designs, ha!! Let's keep those opinions coming in Justin

12-03-2002, 04:02 PM	#8
Stanman Senior Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Waxahachie, Texas, USA Posts: 426	PBY Catalina is my all time favorite for its versatility, endurance, and sheer elegance. Close seconds are Hughes Spruce Goose for sheer size formerly in Long Beach now up in the NW woods and the Short Sunderland which has a pretty neat mining mechanism I was able to inspect first hand near Cambridge.

12-03-2002, 04:33 PM	#9
Tracon Doug Vector For Spacing Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 50 Posts: 857	This is undoubtedly my favorite: The Boeing 314. __________________ Piss On Noise Abatement! Doug Kenaga Portland TRACON Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON SoCal TRACON Los Angeles TRACON

12-04-2002, 12:28 AM	#10
tdh8192 Complete Wacko! Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 3,239	Kawanishi H8K 'Emily' - arguably, the best military flying boat of World War II. __________________ - Tom Last edited by tdh8192; 12-04-2002 at 06:41 PM.

04-01-2006, 12:54 AM	#11
DFPlummer Junior Collector Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1	Martin P6M-2 Flying Boat Model Here's a photo of my 1/16th-scale, electric powered model of the Martin SeaMaster:

04-06-2006, 02:05 AM	#12
flying_olympic Junior Collector Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5	the SPRUCE GOOSE!!!! those gigsntic wings and all those engines, tho its very sad it only flew once....

04-06-2006, 03:47 AM	#13
Phantom Insane Collector Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,928	The Latécoère 631 is just a great looking aircraft. Edit: Oh, I see this old thread is about military boats, so I'd go for Convair R3Y and Blohm&Voss 222.

12-20-2007, 03:34 AM	#14
planenutsfrog Junior Collector Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Brest Posts: 35	Re: Favourite flying boat? I love the Martin P5M Marlin...

12-24-2007, 01:01 PM	#15
Prestwick Pioneer Prestwick Pioneer Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND Posts: 587	Re: Favourite flying boat? The Martins Mariner/Marlin/Seamaster, plus the Albatross and PS/US-1s. But the winner is the Convair R3Y1 Tradewind. Ace machine. __________________ The Prestwick Pioneer

12-24-2007, 04:58 PM	#17
Prestwick Pioneer Prestwick Pioneer Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND Posts: 587	Re: Favourite flying boat? Actually, no-one seems to be mentioning the Convair Coronado, operated by NATS (under agreement with PanAm) post-war. A classic design, like the likewise undermentioned Dornier Do-24. __________________ The Prestwick Pioneer

12-24-2007, 11:05 PM	#18
Moomins Proud Salomon Supporter Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Middle of nowhere, Canada Age: 34 Posts: 243	Re: Favourite flying boat? Shorts Sunderland, no question. __________________ Ugh...did something crawl down your throat and die? It didn't die!!!

12-25-2007, 02:43 PM	#19
SDF Master Collector Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 535	Re: Favourite flying boat? Martin Mariner for me, but almost any military or civil flying boat is an awesome model.

12-28-2007, 07:23 PM	#20
gospodin Diecast Blasphemer Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ceti Alpha V Age: 52 Posts: 2,947	Re: Favourite flying boat? Dornier Do X, Blohm & Voss BV222, Martin Mariner and Martin Mars, and the Grumman Mallard...along with the B-314. __________________ Steve "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

01-28-2008, 04:59 PM	#21
Cambridge Flyer Cash Collector Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cambridge Posts: 25	Re: Favourite flying boat? Not even a mention of the Sanders Roe SR45 Princess Flying Boat? ..and yes there were plans for a millitary version. " Well that is my first choice for favourite flying boat. Can we have W.I.G. craft? If so scrap the SR45(which they did),and i`ll have the KM Caspian Sea Monster first! __________________ Hmmmmmm........................................... ... Last edited by Cambridge Flyer; 01-28-2008 at 05:20 PM.

01-29-2008, 09:58 AM	#23
TexAV8R Senior Collector Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 278	Re: Favourite flying boat? Shorts Sunderland, Boeing 314 and the Kawanishi H6K The Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" & H8K "Emily" Flying Boats __________________ Stay on the bomb run, boys! I'm gonna get them doors open if it harelips ever'body on Bear Creek!(Major T.J "King Kong" from the movie Dr. Strangelove)

01-29-2008, 11:19 AM	#24
Mystère Mercure 100 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Midway between Omaha Beach and Paris. Age: 38 Posts: 1,098	Re: Favourite flying boat? First, I love ANY flying boat ! Second, I DO love the Lioré et Olivier H.470 : http://www.seawings.co.uk/leoh470-24.htm __________________

02-03-2008, 02:02 PM	#25
D-AIHC Essen Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,192	Although it had a short lifespan and not many were built, I will have to say the Do-X: __________________ Lufthansa - Star Alliance member since 1997