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Flying Boats for Recreation
by Gladen Robert Hamilton
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110 pages, softcover
Eastern Dakota Publishers, 1997
Available from SPA
$19.95 plus shipping and handling |
Book Review
Gladen Robert Hamilton's new book, Flying Boats for Recreation, is an easy-reading
first-hand narrative about piloting, owning and maintaining flying boats. Bob's renowned love of flying boats and
extensive experience in seaplanes is evident in his direct and knowledgeable writing style.
Flying Boats for Recreation is divided into two parts. Part I is titled "Overview: How to Buy and Fly."
The first three chapters give
a brief introduction to flying boats, including history, floatplane/flying boat comparison, a very practical set
of pointers on purchasing a seaplane, and an introduction to corrosion and leak prevention. The
next three chapters give aircraft-by-aircraft summaries of most of the flying boats in civilian
use, including the Lakes, Skimmers, Riviera, Seabee, Twin Bee, Royal Gull and the Grumman boats.
Information provided includes performance statistics, some information about the evolution of the
design, and a summary of the strengths, weaknesses, and flying characteristics of each design. Chapter 8 provides an outline
of a multiengine seaplane syllabus along with details of flying boat operations and Ranger Widgeon
stats and operational details in particular.
The second part, titled "A Blueprint for Seaplane Adventure," is a collection of articles about
specific trips, such as Southeast Alaska, the Alaska Highway, and the Midnight Sun Seaplane Fly-In.
The entire book is practical and to the point. Whether you're new to flying boats, ready to
trade your present seaplane for a different flying boat, or interested in practical maintenance
tips and travel ideas, this book is for you.
Contents:
About the Author and Acknowledgments
Author's Statements
- PART I: How to Buy and Fly
- Chapter 1: Introduction and Hydro-Aviation
- Chapter 2: Floats Versus Boats
- Chapter 3: Buying a Seaplane
- Chapter 4: Caring for a Seaplane
- Chapter 5: The Affordable Boats of Marginal Useful Load:
- Colonial C-1 Skimmer
Thurston/Schweizer TSC-1A1 Teal
- Chapter 6: The Affordable Adequate Ability Flying Boats:
- Colonial C-2 Skimmer, Lake LA-4, and LA-4 200
Lane/Siai-Marchetti Riviera
Republic RC-3 Seabee (and the Super Bee)
Lake Renegade 250 hp. and 270 hp. Turbo
- Chapter 7: The Twin-Engine Flying Boats:
- Twin Bee UC-1
Trecker/Piaggio Gull and Royal Gull
Grumman G-44 Widgeon (and the Super Widgeon)
Grumman G-21 Goose
Grumman G-73 Mallard and Turbo-Mallard
Grumman G-64 Albatross HU-16A and HU-16B
- Chapter 8: How to Fly a Boat
- PART II: A Blueprint for Seaplane Adventure
- Chapter 9: You Have What it Takes to Go to the Top
- Chapter 10: One Highway at a Time
- Chapter 11: The Midnight Sun Seaplane Rendezvous
- Chapter 12: Mayday at Pike Heaven
- Appendix
- Bibliography
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