XO2L-1

The XO2L-1 was a prototype seaplane developed in the late 1930s by the Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation, a company known for innovative amphibious designs. Ordered by the United States Navy as a potential replacement for the aging Vought O2U series, the XO2L-1 combined a metal monocoque fuselage with a low‑wing, twin‑float configuration. Powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R‑1830 radial engine driving a two‑bladed propeller, the aircraft offered a maximum speed of roughly 200 mph, a service ceiling of 22,000 feet and a range of 800 nautical miles, impressive figures for a single‑engine floatplane of its era. Its most notable feature was the fully enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear that allowed operation from both water and conventional runways, a true amphibian capability that foreshadowed later designs such as the Grumman Goose. Although the prototype demonstrated solid handling and reliable performance, the Navy ultimately selected the Consolidated P2Y for production, and the XO2L-1 never entered service. Nevertheless, the aircraft illustrated Loening’s expertise in lightweight structures and amphibious versatility, influencing subsequent U.S. naval aviation concepts and cementing Loening’s reputation as a pioneer of mixed‑mode aircraft.