Aeromarine 40

The Aeromarine 40 was a pioneering flying boat built by the American company Aeromarine in the post‑World War I era. First flown in 1919, the 40 was developed from the earlier Aeromarine 30 series and served as a passenger and mail transport for coastal routes along the Atlantic seaboard and the Great Lakes. Its wooden hull, covered with waterproof fabric, gave the aircraft excellent buoyancy, while a 150‑horsepower Hispano‑Suiza V‑8 engine mounted in a pusher configuration drove a two‑blade propeller. The high‑wing, tractor‑style layout provided unobstructed visibility for the pilot and ample cabin space for up to four passengers or a comparable cargo load. Innovative features included a retractable landing‑gear system that allowed water landings as well as occasional amphibious operations from rudimentary airfields. The Aeromarine 40 helped demonstrate the commercial viability of seaplanes, encouraging airlines such as Aeromarine Airways to establish regular scheduled services. Although only a small number were built before the company shifted to military contracts in the 1920s, the 40’s reliability and ease of maintenance left a lasting imprint on early civil aviation and set design precedents for later flying boats.

Aeromarine

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