Q: PBY
On Feb 27, 12:58*pm, Hawkeye wrote:
I doubt that it would be possible for a Catalina to be able to take
off with the beaching wheels, They were not made for that kind of
speed on land. In fact, in the water you'd never get up enough speed
either, it would be like dragging two anchors.
Even the information on the picture states it is a -5A and can be
confirmed by running the registration number through the FAA database.
The shadow on the picture obscures the outline of the wheel well on
the side of the aircraft, the wheel was exposed when retracted, only
the strut was covered by doors, much the same as other aircraft such
as the Goose and Albatross.
The reason for the creation of an amphibian seaplane was that being
strictly a seaplane meant limiting its areas of operations. Many
locations in the world do not have or would it be feasible to create
beaching facilities. Having to haul the beaching gear and crews was
also unpractical. The amphibian could use inland runways to stop for/
deliver fuel/supplies. Remember the more time spent in salt water the
greater risk for corrosion which adds to operational maintenance. Its
nice to be able to land on water when needed but it has its drawbacks
too.
When Kermit Weeks brought his Sunderland from the UK to the US, he had
to provide for the logistics of landing on bodies of water large
enough which also had good water surface conditions plus access to
refueling facilities capable of supporting such a large aircraft at
each stop of the journey. Had he had an emergency, he might not been
able to find a spot with suitable water conditions...ever been in a
small boat in rough water. Its harder in an airplane!
Fortunately the Sunderland made the trek stopping and over wintering
in Oshkosh until the pond/lake at his new Florida facility was ready
for its arrival. They installed the beaching gear and parked it at a
boat storage area in a local marina.
Cool... Yeah amphibian would be the way to go.
Wil
|