Seaplanes hold a special place in our memory of the wonderful aircraft of aviation's golden age. Streamlined by necessity, they were magnificent and beautiful machines that caught and held the eye and the imagination. In this magnificent album, aviation historian Bill Yenne has assembled a marvelous collection of photographs of the great Supermarine racers, the Pan American Clippers that pioneered the air routes across the Atlantic and Pacific, the fighting flying boats of World War II, and the post-war jet seaplanes. This book is illustrated with carefully selected color and black white photographs from the world's most important aviation historical archives. These are complemented by authoritative descriptive text and over a dozen exquisite cutaway paintings by John Batchelor, the dean of the world's technical aviation illustrators.

Beginning with races that were staged at elegant French resorts in the early part of the century, flying boats and seaplanes have played an integral part in aviation history. World War I spurred the development of these machines, and by the 1930s, flying boats and seaplanes had become pioneers in transcontinental flight. This photo-filled history recalls the role of flying boats and seaplanes in civil and military aviation history, and the enthusiasm of the engineers and pilots who are associated with their development. In addition to the golden years of hydraviation prior to World War II, author Nicolaou examines the decline of the seaplane, and its subsequent renaissance in nations that are today considered seaplane paradises. The saga is illustrated by more than 200 rare photographs uncovered in archives around the globe.

This comprehensive text on basic and advanced techniques for float planes, amphibians, and flying boats covers natural elements, seamanship, water aerodromes and seaplane bases, ground and water operations. Also included are instructions on high speed (step) taxiing, takeoffs and landings, docking, ramping and buoying, operations with amphibians, and flying multiengine seaplanes. Included are museum-quality historical and contemporary photographs; watercolour and black-and-white illustrations; and explanatory maps, and tables.

Incredible illustrations and photographs help document the amazing aircraft that take off from ships or land on water. Exciting text describes their use in military action and rescue, as well as for scientific research and commercial purposes.

300 biplanes, triplanes and seaplanes featured, each one illustrated by a full-color artwork. Describes the most important and exciting Biplanes, triplanes and seaplanes from around the world. Includes the famous aircraft of World War I, including planes flown by the Red Baron and Eddie Rickenbacker.

For as long as man has been able to fly, he has been interested in taking off and landing from the water. The surfaces of lakes and bays offered smooth, long, and perfectly level areas to serve as liquid runways, and could make for a somewhat softer landing in the event of a crash. This colorful volume tells the story of the seaplane, from the earliest floats to the monsters of World War II, to the brave little bushplanes that rule remote areas of Canada, South America, and Australia. Seaplanes developed right alongside regular aircraft; in fact, the Wright brother's trailblazing efforts at Kitty Hawk were very nearly eclipsed by an almost-airworthy seaplane, Samuel Pierpont Langley's experimental float plane of 1903, which crashed despite its apparent airworthiness. But it was the Wright brothers who prevailed that same year, and it wasn't long after their first successful flight that heavier-than-air travel became an everyday reality, from the sea as well as from land. The development of the seaplane not only reflected innovations of regular aircraft, but spurred key aviation innovations for all planes. Seaplanes were key participants in many of the flight competitions of the roaring twenties, and they played a formidable role in both world wars. Today, they continue to give travelers access to seemingly impossible-to-reach locales. This lavishly illustrated volume traces the development of the seaplane over the past century with first-hand accounts from pilots and passengers, and more than one hundred full-color and archival photographs. From Langley's Aerodrome to Curtiss' Flying Boat to the de Havilland Beaver so often used by bush pilots today, Seaplanes is an informative andengaging look at the planes that are as at home in the sea as they are in the sky.