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Scale 1:24  Length 11"  Wingspan 17.5"

Photography by Action Asia Photo
© 2002-8 Action Asia Photo - All Rights Reserved
www.actionasiaphoto.com

Main wheels rotate upwards and tail wheel can
rotate sideways (not shown) as in the real aircraft.
If aircraft has a rudder, that is replicated to allow movement.

One of the few amphibious light aircraft to be produced in large numbers, the Republic Seabee was built by the same company that created the legendary P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft of World War II.

The Seabee was conceived during the latter stages of that Great War when Republic began to look beyond its massive wartime contracts in a search for sustained peacetime production. The original concept was one that was quite popular during the 1940s - to provide a four seat light aircraft that would cost little more than a family car. To an extent Republic succeeded in its aims with more than 1000 Seabees being built in a very short 15 month production run.

The original prototype Seabee was designated the RC-1 and first appeared during 1944. The RC-1 was a three seat design powered by a 175 hp six-cylinder Franklin piston engine. First flown during November 1944, the conventional all metal construction RC-1 was dubbed the Thunderbolt Amphibian. A comprehensive testing and development program ensued during which the RC-1 was severely tested. One test that illustrated the legendary abilities of Republic aircraft absorb punishment involved intentionally making a "wheels up" landing on a concrete runway. The RC-1 passed this test without incident - the only damage being a small amount of metal shaved off the keel.

While the RC-1's structural integrity was beyond dispute, Republic nevertheless decided to re-design it - mainly to significantly reduce production costs. What evolved was the RC-3 Seabee - a four seat aircraft powered by a 215 hp piston engine. Aside from the increased seating capacity, the Seabee differed from the RC-1 in being lighter, built with far fewer components (450 compared to 1800 in the RC-1), required 25% less tooling to manufacture and - most importantly - had an acquisition cost only half  what RC-1s would have cost by then to produce.

Seabee RC-3 production began in mid 1946 but lasted only until October 1947 when, ironically, Republic decided to concentrate on its once more lucrative military business despite healthy Seabee sales. The decision to cease Seabee production also terminated plans for twin engine and land plane development of the the unique amphibious aircraft.

Related Links
www.republicseabee.com