THOSE FABULOUS AMPHIBIANS : A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF AMERICAN AMPHIBIAN AICRAFT

The contents of this book is the pictorial encyclopedia of American amphibious aircraft. It contains every known type of amphibian airplane designed for land and water operation, such as the twin - engine Stinson, twin - hull Rocheville Tern, Niagara, Lawrence - Sperry Triplane, twin - engine Stout, and many others. ( ... ) These dual type planes played a vital role in the Second World War, rescuing downed pilots in the oceans. A Civil Air Patrol pilot spotted a U - Boot off the eastern seaboard while flying a S - 39B Sikorsky and inform-ed the U.S. Coast Guard. The German submarine was sunk shortly after. Another time a U.S. Navy P.B.Y. Catalina dive - bombed a U - Boot off the Louisiana coast and sank it.

( ... ) Private pilots have also designed their own versions of amphibians. A few firms are now converting twin - engine amphibious aircraft into higher performance executive types. ( ... ) So, as the years roll by, the amphibian will remain with us. There will be new designs, higher performance, and even amphibious jets.