Description
only Surviving Fleetwings Seabird
Make of Stainless Steel
Ultra rare - ultra cool
Airframe
The Fleetwings Seabird was an amphibious utility aircraft designed in 1934-5 by James C. Reddig for Fleetwings, Inc., of Bristol, PA. While the aircraft's basic configuration had a precedent in the design of the Loening Monoduck developed by the Grover Loening Aircraft Company as a personal aircraft for Mr. Loening (for whom Reddig worked from 1929-1933) The Sea Bird was unusual because of its construction from spot-welded stainless steel. It was a high-wing, wire-braced monoplane, with its engine housed in a nacelle mounted above the wings on struts. The pilot and passengers sat in a fully-enclosed cabin. Fleetwings initially planned to manufacture 50 production units, but at a price approaching $25,000 during the Depression, there proved to be no sustainable market.
This aircraft is made of stainless steel, which weighs substantially less than it were made out of aluminum.
Engine(s)
Jacobs L-5 (285 hp)
1300 hrs SMOH
Exterior
Airframe is made of stainless steel. This is the worlds only stainless steel plane.
Inspection Status
Sold with current annual.