Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
And definitely not poorly armed!
Why did every country have a flying boat ?
- Thread starter VA5124
- Start date
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Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
I'd say that was still a gooooood landing
Any landing you walk away from was a good landing.
Wild_Bill_Kelso
Senior Master Sergeant
- 3,231
- Mar 18, 2022
That's what I meant.
I think where were some other cases of twin engined planes (Hudsons? Maybe a B-25 or an A-20?) and maybe even another B-17 which they managed to get flying from a beach again in New Guinea area. But obviously that is quite rare.
Flying boats and seaplanes are great. It's a shame they are mostly gone, at least the big ones. The problem with them is basically logs. And weather. And rocks or coral you can't see.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Quite rare - I think in many cases you were able to land, the problem was getting out.
As far as flying boats - logs? I worked on a PBY about 20 years ago, the operator flew it locally in SoCal and then later brought it to Alaska, debris in the water was never a issue. Corrosion and maintenance IMO (as well as the building of runways) were the main reason why these aircraft went away.
This was the aircraft, it was a real pain to get up on the top wing as the yellow stand you see along side of the aircraft barely reached the bottom of the engine nacelles. I have personal photos somewhere, this one courtesy of the photographer indicated.
cammerjeff
Staff Sergeant
The only thing I have to add to the discussion was back when I was a very young Mechanic in the Navy, I noticed that my Chief's tools all had holes drilled in them. I finally asked him about the holes and he told me back when he worked on P5M's all the Mechanics drilled holes in their tools to attach lanyards to.
I had never thought about dropping a tool while working on Flying Boats or Sea Planes when they are on the water! Brought a whole new meaning to looking for dropped tools!
I had never thought about dropping a tool while working on Flying Boats or Sea Planes when they are on the water! Brought a whole new meaning to looking for dropped tools!
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
I usually say it as a joke but it's amazing what one learns here. I have never read about that bit of lore before.
Funny you mentioned this, I worked on a rutile barge and we drilled holes in our tools for the same reason, if they were dropped the only chance you had of getting them back was if the dredge sucked them up and you got them off the screens.
cammerjeff
Staff Sergeant
I can understand that, I was only about 19 years old at the time, and not very worldly being from the US Midwest. But I have never been shy about asking dumb questions of my Elders. My Chief was just about to retire after 25+ years of service, and he tought me about how to properly repair and service the A/C I was assigned to. He had started out working on Seaplanes and Shore Based Patrol Planes. He said he missed them, then the more he thought about it he said he was glad he didn't have to work on them anymore.
He Liked the built in work platforms that almost every Flying boat had, but he hated the constant scrubbing of the hulls that was needed every time they were towed on shore. He also did not miss getting wet installing the beaching gear. He opened my eyes to a lot of things both aircraft & just life related. He is missed, he passed away shortly after he retired as a result of 30+ year of smoking. And I am sure all the chemicals we were exposed to back then. Us idiots used to clean off the structural adhesive off both our tools and hands with MEK. Young Dumb & not informed.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
My Uncle Earl was a retired Navy Chief and when he passed away (in the 90's), the Doctor stated that it was from many years of smoking.
My Aunt Pat looked the Doc in the eye and said "and you don't think being aboard a burning Destroyer had anything to do with that?"
Barra AirPort shows that you can have an airport for land planes on the beach 
cammerjeff
Staff Sergeant
I agree that it would be a contributing factor. And would be covered by the next line of my post you quoted. "And I am sure all the chemicals we were exposed to back then."
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Barra AirPort shows that you can have an airport for land planes on the beach
The Twin Otter is the perfect airplane for this, especially the latest model, it also seem they have a good grasp of the tides and monitoring runway conditions. A little different from running along a coastline though
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Agreed.
His Destroyer was sunk in one of the battles of the Solomons (of course, he participated in other battles during the course of the war) but from then on, he had a persistent cough that even my Mom recalled, when he came home on leave.
In regards to seaplane, Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California, had seaplane facilities (pier, ramp and maintenance area) near Avalon.
The only beaches on the island were in little coves scattered about the island, otherwise the shoreline was either sheer cliffs or rocky outcroppings.
Sure. It was more like a tongue-in-cheek remark. But still I find it amazing that someone thought it to be a good idea to run an "airport" like that.
swampyankee
Chief Master Sergeant
- 4,034
- Jun 25, 2013
Beaches are not always available. Take a look at, say, Capri, which also has a severe shortage of flat.
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FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
I wonder what their liability insurance is like?!?
33k in the air
Staff Sergeant
- 1,356
- Jan 31, 2021
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit smoking."
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking."
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue."
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines"
The currents around those islands are very fast running and dangerous, an aircraft is safer than a boat much of the time.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Except during take off and landing?!?
