Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United States, United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Manufacturer: Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company
Aeromarine 75 Aircraft Overview
The Aeromarine 75 was an American flying boat developed by the Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company in the 1920s. It was a large, biplane flying boat primarily designed for long-range maritime reconnaissance and patrol missions. The Aeromarine 75 had a wooden hull and fabric-covered wings. It featured a crew of four and was powered by multiple engines. The aircraft had a significant wingspan, making it suitable for long-endurance flights over water.
Design and Construction
The Aeromarine 75 was conceived as a large, biplane flying boat, showcasing the prevailing design trends of the era. Its development took place in the 1920s, a period marked by innovation and experimentation in aviation technology.
The flying boat featured a wooden hull, a common construction material for seaplanes and flying boats during this period. Wooden construction offered a good balance of strength and weight, essential for an aircraft designed to take off and land on water. The wings of the Aeromarine 75 were covered with fabric. This design allowed for a combination of structural integrity and aerodynamic efficiency.
Power and Capacity
The aircraft was powered by multiple engines, emphasizing the importance of redundancy and reliability in long-endurance missions. The specific engines used would depend on the model and version of the Aeromarine 75.
With a crew capacity of four, the Aeromarine 75 required skilled personnel to operate effectively during maritime missions. The crew likely included roles such as pilot, co-pilot, navigator, and possibly a radio operator or observer, depending on the mission requirements.
Notable for its significant wingspan, the Aeromarine 75 was designed for long-endurance flights over water. A larger wingspan enhances the lift, allowing the aircraft to stay aloft for extended periods, which is crucial for maritime reconnaissance and patrol missions.
Aeromarine 75 Specifications
- Crew: 4
- Useful Load Capacity: 5,224 lb (2,370 kg)
- Length: 49 ft 4 in (15.04 m)
- Upper Wingspan: 103 ft 9.25 in (31.63 m)
- Lower Wingspan: 74 ft 4 in (22.66 m)
- Height: 18 ft 9.25 in (5.72 m)
- Wing Area: 1,394 sq ft (129.5 m²)
- Empty Weight: 8,720 lb (3,955 kg)
- Gross Weight: 14,334 lb (6,502 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Liberty L-12A V-12 water-cooled piston engines, each producing 400 hp (300 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propellers
Aeromarine 75 Performance
- Maximum Speed: 90 mph (140 km/h, 78 knots)
- Cruise Speed: 74 mph (119 km/h, 64 knots)
- Stall Speed: 57 mph (92 km/h, 50 knots)
- Range: 830 miles (1,340 km, 720 nautical miles)
- Rate of Climb: 260 ft/min (1.3 m/s)
- Time to Altitude: Reaches 2,600 ft (792 m) in 10 minutes
- Wing Loading: 9.5 lb/sq ft (46 kg/m²)
