20th Century Passenger Flying Boats

The passenger flying boat era began with Henri Fabre's first successful takeoff from water and landing near Marseilles, and continued with the introduction of a hull rather than floats by American Glenn Curtiss. It was a sadly missed epoch of flight, depriving passengers of the ability to enjoy the panorama unfolding below in luxurious accommodation and ease. This extended pictorial edition of the author's previous book provides a fast-moving journey from the first pioneers to the last use of such craft in regions still reliant on waterborne communication with the outside world.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The passenger flying boat era, spanning from Henri Fabre's pioneering water takeoff and landing near Marseilles to the introduction of hulls by American Glenn Curtiss, has witnessed a remarkable evolution. This era, characterized by the development of large, ocean-crossing flying boats on both sides of the Atlantic, continues to captivate aviation enthusiasts and historians alike. However, the advent of paved runways during wartime, driven by the need for long-range, high-flying land planes and accelerated airmail movement, overshadowed the unique economic advantage of these craft in utilizing the world's natural waterways. This shift deprived passengers of the luxurious accommodations and ease of enjoying the breathtaking panorama unfolding beneath them.

A poignant aspect of this era is the account by Leslie Dawson in his book "Fabulous Flying Boats: A History of the World's Passenger Flying Boats." Dawson vividly describes a pre-war Imperial Airways flight from Southampton to South Africa, providing a captivating glimpse into this sadly missed epoch of flight. This extended pictorial edition of the author's previous work offers a comprehensive journey from the early pioneers to the final use of such craft in regions still reliant on waterborne communication with the outside world.

Spanning from the Americas and the United Kingdom to France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand, this era is supported by a vast array of private, public, and corporate images, enhancing the reader's experience. The Appendix, meticulously researched and comprehensive, adds further depth to the understanding of this fascinating period in aviation history.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 180 x 252 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526744203