The Fairchild FB-3 (Flying Boat number 3) was an all-metal
flying boat
A flying boat is a type of fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a floatplane in that a flying boat's fuselage is purpose-designed for floatation and contains a hull, while floatplanes rely on fusela ...
developed by the new Fairchild Metal Boat Division of the
Fairchild Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft did not go into production.
Design and development
The prototype was built at Fairchild's
Farmingdale, Long Island
Farmingdale is an incorporated village on Long Island within the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, New York. The population was 8,189 as of the 2010 Census.
The Lenox Hills neighborhood is adjacent to Bethpage State Park and the rest of the ...
facility. The FB-3 was an amphibious
high-wing
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
strut-braced monoplane with retractable landing gear, powered by a high pylon-mounted
pusher configuration
In an aircraft with a pusher configuration (as opposed to a tractor configuration), the propeller(s) are mounted behind their respective engine(s). Since a pusher propeller is mounted behind the engine, the drive shaft is in compression in nor ...
radial engine
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is ca ...
. The two-step hull provided flotation with two outboard floats for stability. The wings had metal spars and ribs with
fabric covering. The interior was well finished for its time.
Operational history
The prototype aircraft (NX7385) was test flown in 1929 but did go into production.
Specifications (Fairchild FB-3)
See also
References
External links
Photo of FB-3Photo of FB-3 ProfilePhoto of FB-3 on WaterPhoto of FB-3{{Fairchild aircraft
Amphibious aircraft