C-1 Skimmer

The Colonial Aircraft Corporation’s C‑1 Skimmer was introduced in the early 1930s as one of the United States’ first successful amphibious utility planes. Developed by a small team led by engineer Thomas J. Culbertson, the Skimmer combined a low‑wing monoplane layout with a hull‑shaped fuselage that allowed take‑off and landing on both water and conventional runways. Its first flight on 12 April 1932 demonstrated reliable handling in rough seas, and the aircraft quickly attracted interest from coastal patrol units, commercial fish‑ery operators, and remote‑area charter services. Powered by a 210‑horsepower Wright J‑6 radial engine, the C‑1 could carry up to three passengers or a modest cargo load while cruising at 115 mph and a range of roughly 600 miles. A detachable landing gear system, twin floats integrated into the fuselage, and a simple, corrosion‑resistant aluminum skin made maintenance straightforward and prolonged service life. Although only 57 examples were built before production ceased in 1937, the Skimmer’s blend of versatility and robustness proved influential, inspiring later amphibious designs such as the Grumman G‑21 Goose. Today, the surviving C‑1s are prized museum pieces that illustrate an early era of flexible, multi‑environment aviation.