OL

The Loening OL was a single‑engine amphibious biplane produced by the Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation in the early 1930s. Designed initially for the United States Navy as a utility and observation aircraft, the OL first flew in 1931 and entered service the following year. Its distinctive “duck‑type” hull, derived from earlier Loening models, gave the plane excellent water‑landing capabilities while the sturdy wooden frame and fabric covering kept weight low. Powered by a 450‑horsepower Wright R‑1820 radial engine mounted in a pusher configuration, the OL could reach a top speed of 140 mph and a range of about 600 miles, sufficient for coastal patrols and short‑range transport. The aircraft featured a fully enclosed cockpit for a pilot and up to two passengers, retractable landing gear for land operations, and a generous cargo compartment that could accommodate radios, light armament, or medical supplies. Although only a few dozen were built, the OL demonstrated the practicality of amphibious designs and influenced later U.S. Navy seaplanes such as the Grumman JF and the Consolidated PBY. Its service underscored Loening’s role in pioneering versatile aircraft that could operate from both sea and airfield, a concept that remained vital through World War II.