Description

Republic RC-3 Seabee

Dimension 35 cm / 49 cm

Mahogany Wooden Model

Airplane Collection models are collection pieces for the following technical reasons. Firstly, the models are limited editions and hand-crafted. Secondly, the replica is an accurate scaled-down model of the original aircraft. All specifications of the airplane’s design are religiously respected for accuracy. Thirdly, the wood is carefully chosen for its natural beauty, color and grain in function to the type of aircraft model. A predetermined time is taken to dry and conserve the wood before the hand-crafting by our artists.

The Republic RC-3 Seabee is an all-metal amphibious sports aircraft designed by Percival Spencer and manufactured by the Republic Aircraft Corporation.

The RC-3 Seabee was designed by Percival Hopkins “Spence” Spencer. An aviation pioneer, he built his first hang glider in April 1911 at the age of 17 from plans he found in a Popular Mechanics magazine. On May 15, 1914, Spencer made his first powered flight in a Curtiss flying boat. In 1937, he joined Sikorsky engineer Vincent A. Larsen to design their first and only amphibious aircraft, the Spencer-Larsen SL-12C. Development of the plane progressed slowly and in September 1940 Spencer left the partnership to form his own company. His resulting design was the Spencer S-12 Air Car Amphibian. Construction of the S-12 began on March 1, 1941 and the small, two-seat S-12 prototype, registered NX29098, made its first flight on August 8, 1941. The S-12 was a fabric covered amphibian with a unique boxlike forward cabin; a high wing with a two-bladed propeller in pusher configuration; and a long, slender tail boom.^{[citation needed]}