Curtiss amphibian flying boat

The Curtiss amphibian flying boat, developed by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in the early 1910s, was one of the first successful seaplanes capable of operating from both water and land. Designed by the pioneering aviator Glenn H. Curtiss, the prototype first flew in 1911 as the Model H‑12 “America” and quickly demonstrated the practicality of amphibious operation during the 1913 Great Lakes race. Its hull featured a stepped wooden V‑bottom that reduced water drag, while the detachable wheeled undercarriage could be stowed for water landings and reattached for runway use. Powered initially by a 150‑horsepower Curtiss OX‑5 V‑8 engine, later variants received more powerful 200‑horsepower engines, giving a top speed of about 80 mph and a range exceeding 300 miles.

The aircraft’s dual‑mode capability made it attractive to the U.S. Navy, which purchased several units for patrol, rescue, and training missions during World War I. Its success proved the strategic value of amphibious aircraft, influencing later designs such as the Curtiss NC‑4 trans‑oceanic flyer and the iconic PBY Catalina. The Curtiss amphibian thus occupies a pivotal place in aviation history as the bridge between pure seaplanes and modern amphibious warplanes.