Skiplanes & Seaplanes | So Long!
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | So Long! So long. It’s time to leave this month’s topic Skiplanes & Seaplanes. Keep the greasy side down.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Martin JRM Mars Sunset
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Martin JRM Mars Sunset Evening light overshadows the water next to the Seaplane Base at Oshkosh. It’s a relaxed night around the base. It’s a nice way to unwind after the big show and take a boat ride to get up close to the Martin JRM Mars. For more flying information, see Remembering Oshkosh | a 7 Image Story.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Martin JRM Mars Dropping Water
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Martin JRM Mars Dropping Water The Martin JRM Mars flying boats are the world’s largest flying boats ever flown operationally. Although seven were built, only two remain flying, the Hawaii Mars JRM-3 pictured here and the Philippine Mars. They have been refitted as firefighting water bombers carrying 7,200 gallons of water. This Martin JRM Mars is dropping 7,200 gallons of water on runway 18/36 at AirVenture. You might ask: how do they get the water? Well, the Captain lands on the water normally, but keeps the the aircraft “on the step” at 60-70 knots. The Flight Engineer controls the power to keep the aircraft “on the step” and selects the scoops to the “down” position to inject the water into the tanks at the rate of about a ton per second. The 7200 gallon pickup time averages 25 seconds. When the tanks are full, the scoops are raised, takeoff power is applied by the Flight Engineer and the Captain makes a normal loaded takeoff. Pretty slick! For more flying information, see Remembering Oshkosh | a 7 Image Story.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Martin JRM Mars Flying
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Martin JRM Mars Flying The Martin JRM Mars flying boats are the world’s largest flying boats ever flown operationally. Although seven were built, only two remain flying, the Hawaii Mars JRM-3 pictured here and the Philippine Mars. They have been refitted as firefighting water bombers carrying 7,200 gallons of water. More images of this amazing plane will be posted over then next several days. For more information, see Floatplanes & Amphibians | a 7 Image Story.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Homebuilt Twin on Floats
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Homebuilt Twin on Floats This twin homebuilt float plane water taxied into the seaplane base after a nice laqnding. For more information, see Oshkosh Seaplane Base | a 7 Image Story.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Cessna Caravan on Floats
Skiplanes & Seaplanes |Cessna Caravan on Floats The Caravan is a rugged airplane whether on wheels or floats. This amphibian Caravan just landed and was taxiing to the fly-in breakfast shed. It came to the fly-in from its home on the water of a nearby lake. For more information, see Lake City Fly-in 2018 | a 7 Image Story.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Republic RC-3 Seabee Arrives
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Republic RC-3 Seabee Arrives This Republic RC-3 Seabee water taxis to a dock at the seaplane base for AirVenture. The soft evening light really makes the image. Seebees are not be the fastest planes in the sky. However, they make up for it in utility and beauty. Interesting seaplane if you don’t mind a 100 mph cruise! Most Seebees were built from 1945-1947 so the nice ones today have been restored. For the whole story with all images, see Oshkosh Seaplane Base | a 7 Image Story.
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Cessna Caravan Landing
Skiplanes & Seaplanes | Cessna Caravan Landing The Caravan is a rugged airplane ready to accomplish many different types of missions whether on wheels or floats. This amphibian Caravan was landing on a grass runway using its retractable gear. It came to the fly-in from its home on the water of a nearby lake. Its powerful turboprop engine delivers the high performance and low operating costs. For more information, see Floatplanes & Amphibians | a 7 Image Story.
Hank Conrad © 2023
