I stumbled onto this particular vein of history because in my casual perusing of Craigslist I found an Osprey II project not far from home. The last thing I need is another project, but it sparked some curiosity and took me down a rabbit hole of what I have always found a fascinating corner of aviation: lightweight amphibious flying boats.

I figure I'll commit some of this research to a thread and eventually a knowledge base article. If nothing else, be entertained.

Osprey II

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osprey_Osprey_2

Let's start with the impetus for today's post, the Osprey II. Designed in the mid 1970s and sold as plans, which are still available for purchase I believe. Construction is wood and fabric. Commonly powered by 150hp O-320. Side by side with sticks.



The video interview with the designer from the 1980s is great:



It seems the builder community is alive and thriving. There's plenty of Youtube finds of current pilots operating these things. Unfortunately, it has a tail only a Maule owner could love. And the low wing just seems odd.

Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volmer_VJ-22_Sportsman



Now we're talking. Designed in 1957, the Sportsman features a high wing and is intended to use Champ or Chief wings. Several results for currently flying aircraft on Youtube. Intended to use a 85hp engine.

Anderson Kingfisher

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderson_Kingfisher

My guess is that after the war there were a lot of GA guys enamored with the look and functionality of the PBY Catalina. The Kingfisher is designed for the 115hp Lycoming O-235, and features the engine pylon much more forward than the other models. Interesting design.



The women talking in the background of this video cracks me up:



Taylor Coot

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Coot



The Taylor Coot was designed by Moulton Taylor, who apparently is famous for designing the Aerocar. I have admit, it's both cute and ugly. I see some clear inspiration for the Double Ender tail. Another low wing design, the sponsons are very low profile. A fellow named Richard Steeves in Wisconsin sells plans for the aircraft.



More models to add, but I will return to this topic later. There are types more on the ultralight/LSA end of the spectrum as well as some type certificated ones like the Thurston Teal.

Feel free to chime in.

There’s (I believe) a Volmar sitting adjacent the runway at the south end of Apex Airpark in western Washington. It’s been there ever since it was retrieved from a dunking in nearby Dyes Inlet. Could be had for a song I imagine if the owner can be tracked down.

The Gweduck is a bit larger scale - but for an experimental, would be one heck of a plane:

The Gweduck is an experimental, twin engine, flying-boat style amphibian of composite construction and is reminiscent of the Grumman style aircraft. Aircraft development started in the early 1990's and has focused on a broad range of issues including aircraft performance and handling, as well as manufacturing technologies.



https://www.gweduck.com/index.html

Halestorm wrote:There’s (I believe) a Volmar sitting adjacent the runway at the south end of Apex Airpark in western Washington. It’s been there ever since it was retrieved from a dunking in nearby Dyes Inlet. Could be had for a song I imagine if the owner can be tracked down.

Any airplane that looks like this when it comes apart is one I'd like to avoid:

Avid Catalina video. The kits actually included a basket ball to be used as the nose bumper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hDHYf_oCEo&t=56

[quote="tcj"]Avid Catalina video. The kits actually included a basket ball

The Spruce goose was full of beach balls as secondary floatation devices. Well worth a visit to the Evergreen museum in McMinnville Oregon.