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| STANDARD DATA: Seats 4. Gross wt. 2,600. Empty wt. 1,775. Engine 215-hp Franklin. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 120. Cruise mph 103. Landing mph 53. Initial climb rate 700. Range 560. Ceiling 12,000. |
About 200 Seabees are currently flying in the United States, with approximately 130 others active in other countries. First made in 1944 and placed into full-scale quantity production in 1946, a total of 1,060 aircraft were produced before Republic Aviation abandoned civilian aircraft production in 1947. The relatively low cost amphibian is still a favorite among sea-rated pilots, and current used prices reflect its popularity. Design of the four-seat flying boat is unique. The RC-3 Seabee’s single six-cylinder engine is mounted behind and on top of the cabin so that the pusher propeller spins about halfway back the length of the fuselage. The original Seabee prototype used a 175-hp Franklin engine and first flew in 1944. Numerous changes in design and components reduced empty weight and production costs before the final RC-3 model was approved.
