A Tricycle Amphibian Aeroplane: The New Spencer‐Larsen 12c., a Machine Designed to Suit the Private Owner

Abstract

IT is a curious fact that, except for a few comparatively isolated instances, the amphibian aeroplane has been singularly neglected. Although in the early days of aviation its worth was realised the complication of a retractable undercarriage stilted the development of the type. However, it is certainly strange that the practical development of the retractable undercarriage in the last five or six years has not led designers to produce what is, after all, in many ways the most practical form of aeroplane from the operator's viewpoint. The recent return to favour of the tricycle undercarriage is yet another refinement ideally suited to amphibian application. In this connexion it is worth remembering that in 1933, Mr. Frank Courtney designed just such a machine. It is arguable that the disadvantages of reduced speed caused by the aerodynamic resistance of a planing bottom affects a commercial operator; but for the private owner and for certain aspects of military communication the amphibian would appear to be ideal. The Sikorsky S.43 should have done much to refute the belief that an amphibian must, of necessity, be slow, while the work of the R.C.A.F. and the R.A.A.F. have more than proved its utility.

Citation

(1938), "A Tricycle Amphibian Aeroplane: The New Spencer‐Larsen 12c., a Machine Designed to Suit the Private Owner", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 10 No. 12, pp. 379-380. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb030412