The American concern of Aeromarine converted the British Felixstowe F5L military flying boat for the civilian market. The F5L appeared during World War 1 in 1918 and was produced under the Naval Aircraft Factory, Curtiss Aircraft, and Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd brand labels, manufacture totaling 227 units. These aircraft were a further evolution of the original Felixstowe F.5 which appeared in 1917. The Aeromarine 75 did not appear in as many numbers, production totaling no more than eight aircraft. These began appearing over civilian airspace in 1923.
On the whole, the aircraft retained their general appearance, one typical of flying boats of the period. The fuselage held an integral boat-like hull for water landings and outboard pontoons to prevent tipping on turns and in high seas. The flight deck was held well-forward in the design with a commanding view out over the nose. The passenger cabin was under in the deep fuselage with large porthole windows offering outside viewing. The fuselage tapered to the empennage to which a large vertical tail fin was fitted as well as high-mounted horizontal planes. The main wing assemblies carried a biplane arrangement with a lower and upper wing element joined by strong struts and cabling. The wings also supported the twin engine configuration - these being 2 x Liberty 12A series mounts developing 400 horsepower apiece, ranging the aircraft out to 830 miles. A standard operating crew was two personnel.
Dimensions included a length of 49.2 feet, a wingspan of 103.7 feet and a height of 18.7 feet. Empty weight was listed at 8,820lb with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 14,330lb.
No variant offshoots of the Model 75 were produced.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Maritime / Navy
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
✓Commercial Aviation
Used in roles serving the commercial aviation market, ferrying both passengers and goods over range.
Length
49.2 ft (15.00 m)
Width/Span
103.7 ft (31.60 m)
Height
18.7 ft (5.70 m)
Empty Wgt
8,818 lb (4,000 kg)
MTOW
14,330 lb (6,500 kg)
Wgt Diff
+5,512 lb (+2,500 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Aeromarine 75 production variant)
Installed:
2 x Liberty 12A engines developing 400 horsepower each.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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