Barnes BT-4: monoplane amphibian; two Barnes V-12 supercharged diesels (1500 HP each); crew 10 (2 pilots, fighter pilot, 4 gunners, steward/loader, navigator/radio operator/bombardier, and an engineer), cruise 160 mph, max 180 mph, ceiling 11,000', range 2000 miles; span 143', length 124', weight 15 tons. Landing gear consists of a pair of amphibious floats equipped with dual wheels. The fuselage measures 20 ft. across at its widest point and contains a hangar for a parasite fighter, an all-electric galley, sleeping quarters for the crew, toilets and a shower. Landing gear consists of a pair of amphibious floats equipped with dual wheels. Rifle-caliber machine guns are mounted in the nose, tail and ventral gun positions; the top turret mounts a 37mm automatic cannon (the COW gun, fed by 5 round clips). Small bomb bays can dispense "several" 50 lb. bombs, and larger bomb racks (or extra fuel tanks) can be fitted into the hangar bay (in place of the 2000 lb. "Eaglet" fighter). Cost well in excess of $500,000.

Consolidated Commodore: monoplane flying boat, two P&W Hornet radial engines (575 HP each); 3 crew (pilots in open cockpits) + 20 to 32 passengers; cruise 108 mph, max 120 mph, ceiling 10,000', range 1,000 miles; span 100', length 62', weight 9 tons. The latest thing in commercial flying boats; also in use by the U.S. Navy as the PY-1 patrol plane (with an enclosed cockpit), whose larger fuel tank allows a range of 2,400 miles. This plane is the direct ancestor of the famous PBY 'Catalina.' Cost about $35,000.

Consolidated P2Y-3 'Ranger': sesquiplane flying boat based on the Commodore design, two Wright R-1820-90 Cyclone radial engines (750 HP each); 2 pilots, navigator/radio operator, engineer; top speed 139 mph, ceiling 16,000', range 1200 miles; span 100', length 62', weight 10 tons. The latest patrol plane of the US Navy, it can carry 2000 lbs of bombs; or, by adding fuel tanks instead of bombs, the range can be increased to about 2000 miles. Cost about $100,000.

Dornier Do-J '6 Ton Wal': monoplane flying boat, two Napier Lion engines (450 HP each); 2 pilots + 8 to 10 passengers; cruise 100 mph, ceiling 11,500', range 4,000 miles; span 74', length 57', weight 6 tons. The original 'Wal' was introduced 1922, and two of that model were used by Roald Amundsen during his attempt to reach the North Pole. Later models have flown the first crossing of the South Atlantic in 1926, and flew from Europe to Chicago non-stop in August 1930 (the first east to west crossing of the Atlantic by a flying boat). The cabin is a bit cramped (think moden executive jet). This is a very popular flying boat: hundreds have been built by Dornier, CMASA, CASA, and Aviolanda. It has been successfully launched from ships by catapult, and is being used in this fashion for mail service to South America from Europe. Cost, about $30,000 for a long-range version.

Dornier Do-X1b monoplane flying boat, twelve Rolls-Royce 'R' type engines (water-cooled, 2500 HP V-12s, with Farman gear-driven two-stage centrifugal superchargers) burn a total of 600 gallons of gas per hour; 10 crew + 13 passengers (the original passenger version carried 169 persons in a record-setting test flight), interior divided into three decks, with lounge, saloon, shower baths, kitchen, and 'Pullman' style berths for the passengers on the main deck; cruise 175 mph, max 200 mph, ceiling 12,000', range 1500 miles; length 131.5', span 158', weight 30 tons empty, 52 tons loaded (including about 15 tons of aviation gasoline) -- the world's largest airplane. The original model was built spring 1929; this model (available after 1931) costs about $1,000,000 ($400,000 plus the cost of engines -- Curtiss Conquerors cost about $8,000 each, Rolls-Royce 'R' engines are $26,000 each!). An auxiliary engine is used to provide electrical power and heat while at anchor. See the Super Dornier-X page for more information on this aircraft for a grand hero or villain; Alexi Vishnaveshki took delivery of one in the fall of 1930, and has it flown to America (with much press attention).

Douglas Dolphin: monoplane amphibian, two Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial engines (450 HP each); 2 pilots + 6 passengers; cruise speed 135 mph, top speed 156 mph, ceiling 17,000', range 720 miles; span 60', length 44', weight empty 3.5 tons, max 4.5 tons. A popular "executive" aircraft, introduced 1931. Cost $43,000.

Keystone PK-1: biplane flying boat, two Wright Cyclone radial engines (575 HP each); 2 pilots + 3 other crew (in naval patrol service); cruise 100 mph, max 120 mph, ceiling 12,000', range 1,250 miles; span 73', length 49', weight 7 tons. The interior has space for a couple of hammocks, but can only be called 'cramped.' Cost about $28,000.

Latecoere 300: monoplane flying boat, four Hispano-Suiza V-12 engines (650 HP each); two pilots, radio operator, and engineer in the enclosed cockpit; cruise 99 mph, ceiling 15,000', range 3,000 miles; span 145', length 86', weight 25 tons. Designed as a trans-atlantic airmail carrier, this aircraft can accomodate 2204 lbs (a metric ton) of cargo. Entered service 1933; cost probably $100,000 or more.

Martin Model 122: biplane flying boat, two Wright Cyclone radial engines (550 HP each); two pilots, radio operator, and flight mechanic are carried in naval service, but the hull could probably accomodate 16-20 passengers; cruise 100 mph, max 123 mph, ceiling 7,200', range 1,450 miles; span 73', length 49', weight 8 tons. Used by the U.S. Navy as the PM-2 patrol plane. The interior is a bit tight -- similar to the Catalina. Cost about $35,000.

Martin Model 130: monoplane flying boat, four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S2A5G Twin Wasp geared radial engines (830 HP each); two pilots, radio operator, flight engineer, two stewards + 12-32 passengers; cruise 163 mph, max 180 mph, ceiling 17,000', range 3,200 miles; span 130', length 91', weight 26 tons. First flown in 1934, built for Pan American at a cost of $417,000.

Savoia-Marchetti S.55X: monoplane twin-hull flying boat, two Isotta-Fraschini V-18 engines (750 HP each); 2 pilots + 10 passengers (5 in each hull side); cruise 149 mph, ceiling 16,000', range 2400 miles; span 79', length 54', weight 11 tons. Introduced 1933, used by several Mediterranean airlines. The earlier versions of this aircraft (the S.55A and S55P) established flying boat records for altitude and range (2,000 miles with 1.7 tons of cargo). The two hulls each have about as much space as a stretch commuter van; I think there must be a crawlway past the pilots (in the middle) between the hulls. Cost about $35,000.

Short S-8 Calcutta: biplane flying boat, three Bristol Jupiter radial engines (540 HP each); 3 crew + 12 passengers; cruise 97 mph, ceiling 13,500', range 650 miles; span 93', length 66', weight 10 tons. Introduced February 1928; the cabin is fairly spacious, 7' wide with a 7' ceiling. These aircraft are used on the Mediterranean segment of the London-to-Karachi (India) air route opened in 1929. Cost about $55,000.

Sikorsky S-38C: monoplane amphibian, two P&W Wasp radial engines (420 HP each); 2 crew + 10 passengers or 3630 lbs; cruise 110 mph, max speed 125 mph, landing speed 55 mph, climb 1000' per minute, ceiling 16,000', range 600 miles from 216 gallons fuel; span 72', length 40', weight 5 tons. Introduced 1928, cost $55,000. Can maintain level flight on one engine. With only 8 passengers, and an additional 80 gallon fuel tank in the fuselage, range increases to 820 miles.

Sikorsky S-42: monoplane flying boat, four P&W Hornet geared radial engines (700 HP each); 2 pilots, flight engineer, radio operator, 2 stewards + 32 passengers; cruise 160 mph, max 180 mph, ceiling 16,000', range 1,200 miles (3,000 miles with only 3/4 ton of cargo); span 118', length 69', weight 19 tons (a cargo version could carry 5 tons of freight). Introduced 1934, and used initially by Pan American on their Caribbean routes. "A" and "B" models appear in 1936, with increased speed, range, and useful load. Cost about $200,000.

Supermarine Southampton: biplane flying boat, two Napier Lion engines; 2 pilots (in open cockpits) + 3-8 crew; cruise 100 mph, ceiling 6,000', range 1,500 miles; span 42', length 28', weight 9 tons. Introduced 1927, in use by various naval forces as a patrol, survey and rescue aircraft. Cost $90,000 complete with beaching gear.

Supermarine Walrus: biplane amphibian, one Bristol Pegasus VI radial engine (775 HP); pilot + 3 crew; top speed 135 mph, ceiling 19,000', range 600 miles; span 46', length 38', weight 3.6 tons. The Royal Navy's latest reconnaissance aircraft, capable of being launched from catapults.