Ecker Flying Boat

The Ecker Flying Boat was an early American-built amphibious biplane.

Ecker Flying Boat
The Ecker Flying Boat displayed at the NASM Silver Hill, Maryland, restoration facility in June 1982
Role amphibian aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Herman Anthony Ecker
Designer Herman Anthony Ecker
Introduction 1912
Retired 1915
Status preserved in museum
Number built 1
Developed from Curtiss Owl

Development

Herman Anthony Ecker of Syracuse, New York designed and built a single-seat open-cockpit biplane in 1911.

During the following year, Ecker designed a two-seat open-cockpit biplane which he described at the time as a flying boat, although as it was fitted with wheels in the lower fuselage, it was technically an amphibian. The 1912 aircraft was based on the design of the Curtiss Owl and utilised an all-wooden construction with muslin covering on the fuselage and wings.[1]

Operational history

Ecker flew the aircraft for three years before disassembling it for storage. It was reassembled in 1930 for exhibition at the New York State Fair. It was later acquired by the Smithsonian Institution as a static exhibit.[1] After display at the Silver Hill, Maryland NASM restoration facility, it is currently exhibited at the National Air and Space Museum in central Washington DC.[2]

Specifications (variant)

Data from Aerofiles.com

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: one passenger
  • Length: 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
  • Wingspan: 42 ft 0 in (12.80 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Roberts 6 marine engine , 50 hp (37 kW)

Performance

  • Endurance: 20-30 minutes

References
Notes
  1. Aerofiles
  2. Ogden, 2007, p. 189
Bibliography
  • Ogden, Bob (2007). Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.
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