SEAPLANES & FLYING BOATS - An Overview of the World's Greatest Aircraft to Operate from Water! 

Thank you, yours is my favorite video of the week.

The prize for racing seaplanes was always referred to as "The Schneider TROPHY "rather than "The Schneider Cup". There's a good reason for this - it's not a cup. It's a statuette depicting a winged nymph dipping down to kiss a wave. It's a very "Art Nouveau" piece of sculpture - as you might expect given that it was designed and made in 1913. The trophy is on public display in a cabinet in the aeronautical gallery of London's Science Museum. It's quite small and I am sure thousands of people walk right past it without understanding its significance.

Thank you,Mike,my dad was a Flight Engineer on those Boeing 314's,and when he died in 1960,he was the Senior Flight Engineer for PanAm,in the Atlantic Region,having put 10,000 hours,in the 20+ years of operations! I hope that there are people out there,who still remember him!! Thanks for your efforts,and definitely that was a time of the real romance of Aviation!! Thank you 😇!

Really enjoyed this video. I'm a big fan of flying boats too.

seaplanes is my favorite aviation topic, thank you.

My dad was a crew member on the Martin P5M Marlin 2 which was the one with the T tail. He was based at Naval Air Station Norfolk VA from 1956 to 1959. His specialty was the anti submarine electronics that helped them find Russian submarines during the Cold War. His squadron VP56 deployed to many places even beyond the Caribbean including Rota Spain and throughout the Mediterranean. This is a nice history overview of seaplanes.

So much to say but I will just say, Wonderful video Mike.

An excellent, excellent presentation. My wife said "If it floats or fly's, he likes it." In seaplanes, I get both. Keep up the good work.

Nostalgia! I built the Mariner, 180 float plane and Albatross. Just seeing the box top art was a surprise and instant " Oh yeah" moment. Thanks

Yes, another great presentation Mike. Keep them coming, and thankyou.

Mike: Another great episode! Thanks.

The Alert Birds have Been Scrambled…!

There was a unique design that was developed by the British. It was called the Short Mayo composite. It was a flying boat used to launch a float plane in an attempt to boost range. The float plane flew piggyback on the flying boat.

Very good. The junker 52 existed as a floatplane. The Airfix kit will allow you to build one 👍😉

Seaplanes are the coolest, those Catalina house boat conversions would be a dream to own and live in

Thanks, Mike. Seaplanes are an underappreciated chapter of aviation history.

Thanks Mike, great video. My Dad had 2 SeaBees from 1952 the year I was born up to 1970 when he retired from flying. Both planes I believe are still flying, the second one here in Canada and the first one in the U.S. Many good memories of flying in the Bee. We'd fly across the Bay of Fundy between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, land at C.F.B. Greenwood to visit with my Mom's relatives on a weekend or fly into Sherwood lake where we had the camp there, total privacy. Last memory I'd like to share. The plane at the time was parked at the Saint John Flying Club and when we would return, the plane had the best parking spot next to the club hangar. Well when the people inside the hangar heard that sound, everyone inside and outside stopped what they were doing to watch my Dad bring the Bee straight into it's parking spot and then turn her, full brake on the right wheel and add power to swing her around 180 deg. then a little wiggle into it's tie down position and one last bit of power before shut down and that all so familiar shake of the plane. Dana Titus , Canada.

Another great video. The M.C 72 had two V12 engines . A true beauty. The Saunders Roe Princess had 10engines . 4 props had coupled engines.

Mike: GREAT presentation! Thank you very much. Back in about 1955 or so, I was on a field trip to Alameda NAS. I was 10 or 11 at the time. I got to sit in the pilot's seat of a Martin Mars. They said that it flew to Hawaii about once a week. We got to go swimming in a local park after our tour of the NAS. The local park was right on the approach path into Alameda NAS. Every couple minutes we'd see Cougars, Panthers, Corsairs, Sky Raiders, and Privateers. Priceless! Please - keep up the excellent work.

Nice video, thanks. My dad was engineer on flying boats (I think the PBY) in WWII, mainly submarine patrol. I know you can't put everything into a 25-minute video, but I have long thought that the link between the Schneider trophy and the Spitfire was fascinating. My understanding is that they raced seaplanes in the Schneider trophy because land runways were too short to allow a really fast racer to get to takeoff speed, whereas the ocean gave them as long a runway as they wanted. Supermarine chose an elliptical wing for the Supermarine S.6B. It performed so well that the government asked Supermarine to design what would become the Spitfire, with its famous elliptical wing. The other connection was that the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine was, I believe, developed for the Schneider cup and it went on to power both of the iconic fighters of WW II, the Spitfire and the P51-D.

[14:19] I did, I did! I built it as a Chalk's Airliner with a glossy white finish, blue trim and celluloid discs for prop arcs,. I was going to cut stencils of the Chalk's font from copies of the luggage tags, to airbrush over the tail and fuselage forward -- but didn't get that far. My Mom and I flew on one from Paradise Island, Nassau to the Miami Ship Canal. Great hop. At low altitude the Carribbean was absolutely georgeous. The twin Wright Cyclone R-1820s made so much noise, I could hardly hear my Bob Marley tapes even with my Walkman at 11. Fantastic flight. Another great show, Mike.

Great video. Really appreciated the old photo's of New York and San Francisco. Even spotted old Penn Station! That was a lot of great info in 25 minutes! Thanks!!!!!

I am happy to say I got to see the Martin mars fly. There was a fire in my area. And it flew right over my house a few times. It made everything shake. It was a red and white one

Just excellent! I live on Vancouver Island and have often seen the Martin Mars on their home at Sproat Lake. Unbelievable aircraft. Thanks again for another outstanding video.

As a former USAF Crew Chief, I can only imagine that an engine change on the Martin Seamaster would have been a real PITA! Great video Mike. Kermit Weeks has a Short Sunderland in his collection in Lakeland, FL. And I know he recently looked at the Mars. Peace and love.

Another great video. I want to thank you for sharing your wealth of aviation history.

I think you covered that subject quite well . Well done ,I enjoyed it.

19:05 One of my favorite movie scenes is from Murphy’s War where the mad Peter O’Toole struggles to get a Grumman Duck airborne.

Thanks. Another fantastic video

Mike, although you have covered a couple of the experimental and prototype designs.... the ill-fated or mistimed Saunders-Roe SR.45 Princess did not have six but ten engines, the inboard and centre nacelles are pairs of engines driving contrarotating propellers and the outbourd nacelles are singles. There were three in various states of construction, with only one completed. There was a planned jet engined and subsequent larger variant called the Jet-Princess and Duchess, also a 1,000 passenger version aimed at the likes of P&O, Cunnard-White Star, etc rather than the traditional airlines.

Correction : you got it backwards .The convair sea dart originally had twin Retractable skis. Vibration problems at high speed on water caused the experimental fitting of a single ski that did not retract. This was the last version of the sea dart to fly.

I'd take the style, beauty, and luxury of a flying boat over the convenience and speed of a jet any time... sadly an experience I'll never have. The Oakland Air Museum has a Short Solent on display, if you're ever in that neighborhood. A truly impressive sight. Although perhaps not technically airplanes, Ekranoplans are another fascinating topic. Many look like they're straight out of a SciFi movie.

eh, you can always do a part 2 if you feel like you've missed some stuff. I don't think any of us would complain, lol.

As a pilot, and an aspiring seaplane/floatplane/flying boat pilot, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It saddened me to be reminded that all of this fantastic water capable flying apparatus was widely available a nearly century ago, and the innovation that enabled this, while today amphibious planes remain fairly rare, and there are only a far more rare number flying boats still in service today. Let’s hope this recent resurgence in bush flying leads to a resurgence in flying boats, as well.

The Spruce Goose was actually one of the most important prototypes to ever be created because its research and development is what made today’s jumbo aviation possible. The most important of which being in the field of hydraulics.

Thank you Mike. Another fantastic video, thoroughly enjoyed it start to finish

I appreciate the work it takes to make a video such as this in trying to fit several decades worth into 25 minutes, but there are several important omissions which rather skew the history towards the US. Absolutely no mention whatsoever of the Imperial Airways flying boats culminating in the Short "Empire" class which was the forerunner of the Short Sunderland. The Sunderland itself was not a troop/cargo transport. It was an ultra long range maritime patrol and anti-submarine aircraft equipped with depth-charges. It had an endurance of about 14 hours on patrol. A fascinating subject, bring back the flying boat.

GREAT VIDEO SIR,GROWING UP IN LOWER LOUISIANA IN THE 50S AND 60S SEAPLANES WERE EVERYWHERE..THEY USED THEM IN THE OIL FIELDS AND RIGS. MY UNCLE FLEW ONE AND HAD A HELICOPTER WITH FLOATS.TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS

Excellent overview of a deep topic! Well done!

starting up the "Flightseer", heading to the tarmac...

AWESOME! THIS CHANNEL IS AMAZING IN EVERY WAY!!! TWO THUMBS UP

Excellent video! I grew up in Southeast Alaska and that is an area where flying of water is normal. There used to be many Grumman Goose, but today it's all floatplane with the world's most perfect airplane the DeHavilland Beaver being the workhorse of the sky. There are also turbine DHC-4, but they just don't have the same magic.

Thanks Mike. I went to work at Rockwell Downey in 1976 on the shuttle and remember DC10’s crossing Lakewood Boulevard. Your videos about SoCal aerospace take me back to my earlier days. I appreciate the accuracy of your videos, too.

1 hour videos sound great! You could be the Drach of aviation.

Another informative and interesting video, the photos and artwork are superb. Great work. Thanks Mr. Machat.

The one I like is the OS2U Kingfisher. The lake amphibian is nice to

Excellent video Mike! I throughly enjoyed viewing it. I'm so glad I discovered your channel.

Wonderful. Thank you so very much for compiling this in such a concise and pleasant manner. Your New York is showing.

Great presentation as always Mr Machat! I must admit, past my favorite sea plane, the Consolidated PBY Catalina, I know very little about them. The float planes always were neat, but I only had reference to them mostly from tv adventure shows. The big sea clippers were of interest because of early aviation history. That's about it. Thanks so much for shining a light on the subject! As always God bless you and yours and thanks again for all you do! Take care always Sir!

Another great one Mike! The Monogram SA-16 was a terrific kit, even with all the rivets, the Revell PBM built by my dad for me over 60 years ago and I have an unbuilt one in the stockpile. The Martin Mars is mentioned in the song WONDERING WHERE THE LIONS ARE by Bruce Cockburn as "huge orange flying boat rises off a lake". Thanks for your work!

Thank you Mike. Great topic. This was so good I hardly noticed it was nearly half an hour. Hand raised on both the Mariner and Albatross kits. I loved building Coast Guard related models

Great presentation Mike. I've always had a fascination and love of flying boats and built the Monogram Albatross kit in my youth.

My dad loved amphibians and was building what I am pretty sure was a Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman in our basement for most of my early childhood. Sadly he was too busy with 7 kids and 3 jobs to finish it and sold the project when I was about 9 or 10.

I clicked this video to see planes. I was not disappointed. I have yet to be disappointed by one of your videos.

Great presentation. Thank you.

I imagine they could have used an engine hoist to get the Cub on the Mars' wing.

Hello great presentation thanks again for sharing this with us saludos

Extremely nice presentation Mike !! A great, educational perspective on the blended lines between aircraft, and the sea !

Thanks Mike for another great video! Several of these I built the models from Revell kits in the mid-late ‘50s. Great knowledge now as a docent at The Cradle of Aviation Museum.

This was an incredible video, thanks for producing this!

Great video Mike! Love those planes! Thanks for sharing. Happy days and model on! 😎🇨🇦

Fascinating! Well done!

This has the best seaplane show I have ever seen I've alway's loved seaplanes and you had a few I've never seen. Thanks and look forward to more.

Since the beginning of this year, I have had a fascination with flying boats and how all of them could be powered with turboprops, especially GE turboprops 😍😍😍

You were right, so many tales to tell. The greatest story is the Pan Am clipper that got caught in the start of WW2 and had to fly around the world. When you get time, say something about the 103 DIY float planes.

The Short Sunderland was a maritime patrol aircraft and not (initially) a cargo and transport aircraft.

Another great video in the bag...thanx

The Piper Cub landed on the wing of the Mars, (heading wingtip to wingtip), with room to spare. Or, maybe, the more likely answer, they just used a handy crane.

Great vid. One of my early glider buddies started at Pan Am as an engineer on the 314. They sometimes carried a spare engine in the hold, and the crew could make an engine change while moored to a buoy. Oh, you left out the other float aircraft--planes on skis for frozen water.

Great summary. How about part 2 featuring Short ‘C’ boats and their derivatives through to the 1950s and British and European developments between the world wars?

Mike, your love of seaplanes is abundantly clear in this excellent presentation. You certainly twanged my heartstrings talking about both the PBY Catalina and the P6M Seamaster. I made Revelle models of each, and displayed them side by side. The Beast and the Beauty.

Hi Mike! Very complete review of all kind of seaplanes, congrats for this outstanding video!

Well done, thanks.

An excellent video, lots of interesting history. Thanks a lot, Colin UK 🇬🇧

Great presentation Mike. Much appreciated.

Very enjoyable content as always. Thanks!

Great presentation!

Wonderful Video Mike !!!!😊

Mike, thanks for this outstanding video. 👍💯 The amount of fascinating information and photographs that you have included in this program have left me in awe of your talent for presenting aviation history in such an enjoyable and informative way. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excellent presentation.

Thank you for all oof the photos ! ! ! I really embrace the flying boat and all of the amphibian's. Hoping soon to build my own W.I.G. craft.........

Great one, Mike! Learned a ton.

Loved the vid Mike. My first flight experience was in a Goose flying from Long Beach to Avalon where my parents had moved to in the late 60's. Ive been in love with seaplanes ever since.

several of my favorite airplanes in this episode

Another very enjoyable video on one of the lesser covered, but very important, subjects of aviation history. Incredible photographs. Over my lifetime, I've built and collected many seaplane and flying boat models, mostly U.S. military specimens from Revell and Monogram. The Grumman Albatross shown at 14:43 is the same one depicted in the original Monogram SA-16 kit of 1957. A very nicely done model for that time, and also looks great in the 1970s reissue with white plastic and USCG markings. Got to fly on an Antilles Air Boats Grumman Mallard, one gorgeous morning at sunrise in 1976, between St. Thomas and St. John in the Virgin Islands. Spectacular water landings that I will never forget. Thank you again Mike for all your effort in putting these fun videos together

That was a lot of fun! Never knew about consolidated's commadore. Love all your works...sorry I haven't commented much lately, but I'm able to spend more time here now. As always, excellent and wonderful work. Thank you,Mike

Brilliant!

Be-10 for the win. Thank you!

Saunders Roe Princess could definitely be said to have 6 engines but 4 of these were doubled versions of the Bristol Proteus turboprop making 10 engines on board.

22:36 The famous Twilight Zone episode, "The Odyssey of Flight 33" is set aboard a trans-Atlantic 707 (at least that's what the included stock footage shows) and the flight crew is shown as five -- pilot, co-pilot, engineer, navigator, and radioman. The episode was first broadcast on 24 February 1961, so it appears at least some routes flew with the 5-man crew for years after 1958. It would be an interesting project for Mike's channel to investigate the evolution of airline flight crews from the dawn of commercial aviation to the standard 2-man crews of today. With advancing IT technology and even more extensive satellite navigation systems we may shortly see one-person cockpits with a pilot serving primarily as a supervisor of a largely autonomous aircraft for passenger flights and fully autonomous drone cargo carriers.

Love these old flying boats and pontoon planes. Especially those flying ships from way back, that era was magical in movies and I would love to fly one

Good one. I am not really a devoted aviation buff, but for some reason seaplanes etc. fascinate me. Probably because of learning, when I was a kid, about PBY rescues.

Hey! I built that Albatross kit. Saw one fly over Catalina Island in the 70s too, hugging the hills on the coast line.

Great stuff. I'm very Impressed with the pictures of the Trade wind let alone it capabilities. 😁👍

Great Video.

I love seaplanes and got to fly on the chalks airline from Florida to the Atlantis hotel at Nassau. One of my best memories.

Great video

The Consolidated Commodore is without a doubt the dorkiest looking aircraft I have ever seen and I love it

Thanks Mike ! Great presentation. As a young pilot in the late sixties in northern Canada I was fortunate enough to be in on the tail end of true bush flying , The Beaver, Otter, Norseman and a stint on the PBY known as the Canso in it's Canadian iteration water bombing brings back many memories ! I eventually made my way up the food chain and loved the DC 3 but alas......It wasn't on floats. In retirement I loved my Lake Buccaneer !!!

One more outstanding video, Mike! I am fascinated about seaplanes, although never flew in one. Glad you talked about Dornier DoX as my late grandfather has seen it at Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, and always told his grandsons how amazing it was to see it land and takeoff! Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷