AERONAUTICS: Loening Amphibian

After more than a year's secret development, the Loening Amphibian made its first public appearance when it left the water of the East River at 31st street, Manhattan, as a flying boat, and alighted some two hours later on solid ground at Bolling Field, Washington, D. C. The Amphibian is the first of ten machines to be delivered to the Army for use in the Philippines, where water or land duty may fall indiscriminately to Air Service officers. Its versatility is obtained in very simple fashion. The fuselage or body is shaped just like the hull of a flying boat, but underneath is attached a folding landing gear. When the pilot presses a switch, the landing gear folds rapidly upwards with the wheels coming to rest smoothly in the sides of the hull, with a reserve control for landing on a field.

Another unique feature of the design is the tractor propeller. Hitherto, flying boats have been built with the engine mounted behind the pilot and passengers, with the propeller pushing-convenient in docking but offering always the possibility of the engine landing right on top of the personnel. The amphibian with its engine in front avoids this danger. The engine is inverted to improve the pilot's vision and works apparently even better in this position. This expedient, simple as it may appear, has a great military value. In spite of its novel characteristics and multiple function, the new plane compares very favorably with other Liberty motor Army ships, such as the famous De Haviland, in both speed, climb and maneuverability.