1.
LV SEAPLANE ON FLOATS (TWO SHOTS).
0.18

2.
AERIAL V..SEAPLANE.
0.32

3.
LV SEAPLANE.
0.45

4.
LV SEAPLANE WITH WING OF FLOATLESS PLANE ROCKING IN F/G.
0.58

5.
LV SEAPLANE ON FLOATS.
1.10

6.
MV DITTO.
1.22



Initials PGR/N/BHH/PB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A NEW DEVICE TO ADD COMBAT PUNCH TO AMERICA'S ANTI-SUBMARINE SEAPLANES: IT'S A TWIN, STILT-LIKE FLOAT THAT MAKES THE AIRCRAFT A STABLE WORKING PLATFORM FOR ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE.

THE FLOATS ENABLE THE AIRCRAFT TO FLOAT WITH A MINIMUM OF SEA ROLL, PROVIDING A COMBINATION OF CRUISE SPEED AND RANGE UNEQUALLED BY ANY AIRCRAFT.

A U.S.NAVY PEM-5 SEAPLANE, FITTED WITH THE FLOATS, GAVE A DEMONSTRATION OFF THE CALIFORNIAN COAST RECENTLY.ANOTHER PEM PLANE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE FLOATS PROVIDED A COMPARISON.THIS AIRCRAFT ROCKED SO MUCH IN FOUR-FOOT WAVES THAT ITS CREW WERE HANDICAPPED IN CARRYING OUT ROUTINE TASKS, WHEREAS MEN ON THE SEAPLANE WITH FLOATS NOTICED VERY LITTLE ROLL.

FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES, THE VERTICAL FLOATS WERE PERMANENTLY FIXED IN POSITION, BUT FOR OPERATIONAL USE THEY WILL BE DESIGNED TO RETRACT UNDER THE PLANE'S FUSELAGE DURING FLIGHT.