Flying Shoehorn |
Loening OL-8
1927
Loening was well known for its attempt to match the contemporary landplane performance with an amphibian of similar horsepower. To achieve this aim, Loening adopted the approach of using a single float under the fuselage. This float was faired into the fuselage and the wheels were located on each side. Otherwise the design was as conventional as possible for better efficiency. The OL-8 and the OL-9 both used a Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine. Some of these were equipped with arrestor gear for carrier deck operations. By this time Loening merged with the Keystone Aircraft Corperation soon to be acquired by the Curtiss-Wright Corperation.
Crew: 2, Power plant 450bhp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-4, Dimensions: Span 45ft, length: 34ft 9in, height: 12ft 9 in. wing area; 504 sqft. Weights: Empty:, 3649 lbs, gross. 5404 lbs. Max speed: 122mph at sea level, climb: 5,7min to 5000 ft. Service ceiling: 14.300ft; Range: 625 mi.
USN 84 René Hieronymus Scale 1:72 Building time approx: 23 hrs |