Republic RC3 Seabee
- CountryUnited States of America
- TypeFour seat amphibious light aircraft
- PowerplantsOne 160kW (215hp) Franklin 6A8215B8F six cylinder inline piston engine driving a two blade propeller.
- PerformanceMax speed 193km/h (104kt), max cruising speed 166km/h (90kt). Initial rate of climb 700ft/min. Service ceiling 12,000ft. Range 900km (485nm).
- WeightsEmpty 885kg (1950lb), max takeoff 1360kg (3000lb).
- DimentionsWing span 11.48m (37ft 8in), length 8.51m (27ft 11in), height 2.92m (9ft 7in). Wing area 18.2m2 (196sq ft).
- CapacityTypical seating for four.
- ProductionTotal Seabee production of 1060 built between 1946 and 1947.
One of the few land and/or water capable light airplane to be created in any kind of numbers, the Republic Seabee was assembled by the same organization that was in charge of the unbelievable World War 2 P47 Thunderbolt warrior.
The Seabee was imagined amid the last phases of World War 2 when Republic started to look past its monstrous wartime contracts to a premise for managed peacetime creation. The first idea was one that was truly mainstream amid the 1940s - to give a four seat light flying machine that would cost minimal more to buy and work than a family auto. To a degree Republic succeeded in its points, more than 1000 Seabees were implicit only one year of generation.
The first model Seabee was assigned the Rc1 (Republic Commercial configuration number one) and initially showed up amid 1944. The Rc1 was a three seat configuration fueled by a 130kw (175hp) six chamber Franklin 6alg365 cylinder motor. To begin with flown amid November 1944, the ordinary all metal development Rc1 for a period was named the Thunderbolt Amphibian.
An extensive testing and advancement system followed, amid which the Rc1 was punishingly tried. One test that showed that the RC-1 incorporated Republic flying machine's fabulous capabilities to assimilate discipline included purposefully making a wheelsup arriving on a solid runway. The Rc1 finished this test without occurrence, the main harm being a little metal shaving from the bottom.
While the Rc1's structural trustworthiness was past question, Republic by and by chosen to overhaul the Rc1, predominantly to altogether diminish generation and securing expenses. What developed was the Rc3 Seabee, a four seater controlled by a 160kw (215hp) Franklin 6a8215b8f cylinder motor. Aside from the expanded seating limit, the Seabee varied from the Rc1 in being lighter, constructed with far less segments (450 contrasted and 1800 in the Rc1), obliged 25% less tooling to make and, in particular, had a procurement cost a large portion of that of what the Rc1's would have been.
Seabee creation started in mid 1946, however endured just until October 1947, when incidentally Republic chose to focus on its again lucrative military business, notwithstanding solid Seabee deals.
The choice to stop Seabee creation likewise ended improvement plans for twin engined and landplane improvements.
Pictures of Republic RC3 Seabee
