| C-1 Skimmer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Role | two/three-seat amphibian |
| Manufacturer | Colonial Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | David Thurston |
| First flight | 1948 |
| Primary user | private owner pilots |
| Number built | 43 |
| Variants | Lake Buccaneer |
The Colonial Model C-1 Skimmer was an American small single-engined amphibian flying boat built by the Colonial Aircraft Corporation. It was the start of a line of very similar aircraft designed by David Thurston.
In 1946 David Thurston established the Colonial Aircraft Corporation at Sanford Maine to build his design for a small amphibian flying boat, the Skimmer.
The resulting design was an all-metal shoulder-wing cantilever monoplane with a single-step hull and stabilizing floats fitted under each wing. A retractable tricycle landing gear allowed land operation. The Avco Lycoming engine with a pusher propeller was pylon-mounted above and aft of the enclosed cockpit.
The cabin had side-by-side seating for a pilot and passenger with room behind for another passenger.
The prototype XC-1 Skimmer first flew on July 17, 1948, powered by a 115 hp (86 kW) Lycoming O-235 engine, but was later re-engined with a 125 hp (93 kW) Lycoming O-290 engine. [1] [2]
24 examples of the C-1 Skimmer were built and these were followed by 18 examples of the higher powered four-seat variant known as the C-2 Skimmer IV, [3] which through a succession of companies became the Lake Buccaneer.
Data fromJane's All The World's Aircraft 1956–1957, [4] Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59 [5]
General characteristics
Performance
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
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