Amphibious

The amphibious water bomber built for wildfire response.

The Bombardier 415 is a purpose-built firefighting aircraft introduced in the 1990s. Designed to scoop water from lakes and drop it on wildfires, it serves government agencies worldwide. The aircraft continues the Canadair water bomber lineage.

The turboprop utility aircraft built for water and runway operations alike

The Cessna Caravan Amphibian is a float-equipped variant of the popular Cessna 208 Caravan. Designed for operations from both land and water, it supports regional transport and remote access missions. The aircraft combines turboprop reliability with amphibious versatility.

Scout seaplane introduced in 1944

The Curtiss SC Seahawk was built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company as a scout seaplane intended for the United States Navy. It replaced the Curtiss SO3C Seamew and Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes in the latter part of the war towards peacetime. The aircraft first flew in February 1944 and was introduced in the same year. It was retired in 1949 with a total number of 577 Seahawks built.

Observation floatplane introduced in 1942

The Curtiss SO3C Seamew was built and produced by Curtiss-Wright Corporation to replace the SOC Seagull scout observation seaplane of the United States Navy. It first flew in October 1939 and was introduced in 1942. The SO3C Seamew was used by the United States Navy and the Fleet Air Arm. The aircraft was retired in 1945 with a total number of 795 Seamews built.

Scout observation seaplane introduced in 1935

The Curtiss SOC Seagull was designed by Alexander Solla of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation as a scout observation seaplane powered by a single-engine. The aircraft was intended for the United States Navy and performed duties on warships. It first flew in April 1934 and was introduced in November 1935. The SOCs were mainly used by the United States Navy, as well as the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marine Corps.

The bush plane built for short fields and remote frontiers

The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engine utility aircraft developed for rugged operations in remote regions. Designed in Canada after World War II, it became synonymous with bush flying. The aircraft’s versatility and short takeoff and landing performance made it a global workhorse.

The Grumman G-21 Goose was introduced in the 1930s as an amphibious transport aircraft. Designed for corporate and utility roles, it combined land and water capability. The aircraft saw both civil and military service.

Grumman G-21 Goose — twin-engine amphibious aircraftThe Goose first flew in 1937 and entered service shortly thereafter. It featured a high-wing configuration and retractable landing gear integrated into its hull. The aircraft was well suited to coastal and island operations.Two radial piston engines producing approximately 450 horsepower each powered the Goose. Cruise speed approached 190 knots (352 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg).The G-21 served in military and civilian roles around the world. Its amphibious design made it adaptable to remote environments. The Goose remains a classic example of prewar utility aircraft engineering.

The amphibious aircraft built for long-range search and rescue

The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a twin-engine amphibious aircraft developed for maritime patrol and rescue missions. Designed to operate from both land and water, it served extensively with U.S. and international forces. The aircraft became synonymous with Cold War air-sea rescue operations.

Utility amphibian aircraft introduced in 1936

The Grumman J2F Duck was initially designed and manufactured by Grumman as a single-engine amphibious biplane before production was taken over by Columbia Aircraft Corporation. The J2F Duck was in service as a utility and search and rescue aircraft with the United States Armed Forces from the mid-1930s until after the Second World War. It also served the Argentine Navy, the armed forces of Colombia, Mexico, and other independent civilian operators. A total number of 584 aircraft were built.

American patrol flying boat in 1951

The Martin P5M Marlin was a flying boat fitted with twin-piston engines developed and manufactured by Glenn L. Martin Company. The aircraft entered service in 1951. The P5M Marlin was in service with the United States Navy in the late 1960s and was also primarily used by the United States Coast Guard as well as the French Navy.

Patrol bomber flying boat introduced in 1940

The Martin PBM Mariner was developed and produced by Glenn L. Martin Company as a patrol bomber flying boat during the Second World War and the early period of the Cold War. The PBM Mariner was built in addition to the flying boats in service during the time such as the Consolidated PBY Catalina and the PB2Y Coronado. On February 18, 1939, the aircraft took its maiden flight and in September 1940, it entered into service.

The Republic RC-3 Seabee was introduced in the late 1940s as a civilian amphibious aircraft. Designed for recreational use, it combined land and water capability. The aircraft gained popularity among private owners.

Republic RC-3 Seabee — amphibious light aircraftThe Seabee first flew in 1945 and entered service in 1946. It featured a high-wing configuration and pusher engine mounted above the fuselage. The aircraft was capable of operating from both runways and waterways.A Franklin piston engine producing approximately 215 horsepower powered the Seabee. Cruise speed was near 105 knots (194 km/h). Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 2,500 pounds (1,134 kg).The Seabee became a distinctive recreational aircraft in postwar America. Production was limited but enthusiastic. Surviving examples remain popular among amphibious aviation enthusiasts.

The light amphibian built for regional water and land operations

The Sukhoi/Beriev Be-103 is a light twin-engine amphibious aircraft developed in Russia for regional transport. Designed to operate from both runways and water surfaces, it targeted remote communities and coastal routes. The aircraft represents a modern continuation of the Beriev amphibious tradition.

Scout and observation aircraft introduced in 1926

The Vought O2U Corsair was built by Vought Corporation as a scout and observation aircraft during the 1920s. It was introduced in 1926 and two prototypes were ordered in the same year. The O2U was mainly used by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard. A total of 580 aircraft were built.

Observation floatplane in the 1940s

The Vought OS2U Kingfisher was manufactured by Vought as a catapult-launched observation floatplane intended for the United States Navy. It was the primary shipboard observation floatplane of the USN in the Second World War. The aircraft was also used by the Royal Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, and the Soviet Navy. It first flew in 1938 and was retired in 1959 with a total number of 1,519 aircraft built.