I have always liked the Loening Amphibian and Grumman Duck amphibious biplanes with their integrated float/fuselage design as well as single-float seaplanes like the Mitsubishi "Pete" and the Vought Kingfisher.
With those in mind, I have been kicking around some ideas for a light, two-seat amphibious homebuilt in the European microlight category (495 kg or 1091 lbs gross weight) and I am very attracted to the single-float layout, which seems to offer better rough-water performance and perhaps a little less drag. Admittedly, the wing floats make it harder to come alongside a dock, but that is true with hull-type flying boats as well.
I have in mind a relatively straightforward design like a cartoon simplification of a Vought Kingfisher but with Loening-type repositionable conventional landing gear and a combined tailwheel/water rudder. I would probably not go with the Loening-style combined float/fuselage but would likely plan a fuel tank and luggage lockers in the float. This would not be a convertible landplane/floatplane, but an integrated amphibious design for operation as a light bushplane from land or water.
Does anyone know of any examples of light, single-float amphibians or seaplanes that might help inform this concept? Any particular pros and cons come to mind with this configuration?
Cheers,
Matthew
With those in mind, I have been kicking around some ideas for a light, two-seat amphibious homebuilt in the European microlight category (495 kg or 1091 lbs gross weight) and I am very attracted to the single-float layout, which seems to offer better rough-water performance and perhaps a little less drag. Admittedly, the wing floats make it harder to come alongside a dock, but that is true with hull-type flying boats as well.
I have in mind a relatively straightforward design like a cartoon simplification of a Vought Kingfisher but with Loening-type repositionable conventional landing gear and a combined tailwheel/water rudder. I would probably not go with the Loening-style combined float/fuselage but would likely plan a fuel tank and luggage lockers in the float. This would not be a convertible landplane/floatplane, but an integrated amphibious design for operation as a light bushplane from land or water.
Does anyone know of any examples of light, single-float amphibians or seaplanes that might help inform this concept? Any particular pros and cons come to mind with this configuration?
Cheers,
Matthew
