Barely 20 years out from Kitty Hawk, the new race in aviation was for all-out speed, and the airplanes that became the ultimate machines in that quest were seaplanes. Held from 1913 to 1931, the Schneider Trophy, often referred to as the Schneider Cup, was a global competition that companies and nations used to push the state of the art. While the R3C would be surpassed in subsequent years, its achievements were eye opening. A decade after the 100 mph mark had been eclipsed, the R3C-2 streaked along at 245 mph, a speed that most airplane owners today would and do pay a lot to achieve. Why seaplanes? It was all about the takeoff roll. With these planes using very small wings to cut drag, they needed all the distance they could find to get airborne.
Curtiss R3C, 1925
Key Takeaways:
- The Schneider Trophy (1913-1931) was a global competition that propelled the development of high-speed aviation in the early 20th century.
- Seaplanes emerged as the ultimate machines in this speed quest, achieving remarkable records like the R3C-2's 245 mph.
- Seaplanes were critical because their small, drag-reducing wings necessitated long takeoff distances, which water provided.
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