Skip to main content
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate
USNI Logo USNI Logo USNI Logo
Donate
  • Cart
  • Join or Log In
  • Search

Main navigation (Sticky)

  • About Us
  • Membership
  • Books & Press
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Naval History
  • Archives
  • Events
  • Donate

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • Innovation for Sea Power
    • Marine Corps
    • Naval Intelligence
    • Naval and Maritime Photo
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • American Sea Power Project
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

Sub Menu

  • Essay Contests
    • About Essay Contests
    • Innovation for Sea Power
    • Marine Corps
    • Naval Intelligence
    • Naval and Maritime Photo
  • Current Issue
  • The Proceedings Podcast
  • American Sea Power Project
  • Contact Proceedings
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Media Inquiries
  • All Issues

Neglected Legacy: Navy Seaplanes

By Thomas C. Hone and William J. Armstrong
December 1999
Proceedings
Volume 125/12/1,162
Pictorial
View Issue
Comments

The U.S. Navy bought its first aircraft in 1911, a Curtiss amphibian called the A-1 Triad. The flying boat’s potential was exploited in World War I, but the float plane’s capability went unrealized until the early 1920s. Until then the lack of a launching system hampered shipboard operations. In May 1922, a compressed air turntable catapult installed on board the Maryland (BB-46) launched a Vought VE-7. As catapults were installed on other battleships and cruisers, the Navy acquired the capability of operating aircraft from existing capital ships. Techniques then were developed for supporting conventional forces, particularly with regard to spotting for ships’ guns. For more than 20 years, the float plane remained an indispensable part of naval aviation, but the advancement of technology eventually overtook them. The last float planes left Navy service in the early years after World War II, bringing an end to a colorful period of naval aviation. All photos are courtesy of U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.

Thomas C. Hone

Mr. Hone is a former historians at the Naval Air Systems Command, where he and Mr. Armstrong collected these photographs.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

William J. Armstrong

Mr. Armstrong is a former historians at the Naval Air Systems Command, where he and Mr. Hone collected these photographs.

More Stories From This Author View Biography

Related Articles

Lieutenant Theodore Ellyson is in the pilot’s seat of A-1 as preparations are made for the cable test launch. The main cable ran in an inverted U-channel beneath the pontoon; thinner cables were strung near each wingtip for balance. The broad U-shaped tip guides are visible beneath the wings.
NH Historic Aircraft

The Navy’s First

By J. M. Caiella
June 2024
Practical flight was less than eight years old when the U.S. Navy made its first tentative commitment to put sailors aloft in heavier-than-air craft.
NH Historic Aircraft

The First Carrier-Based Fighter

By Norman Polmar, Author, Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet
April 2001
The first fighter aircraft to go aboard U.S. carriers in squadron strength was the Chance Vought Corporation’s VE-7. Although actually an advanced trainer developed for the Army, the VE- 7 ...
Air-to-air left front oblique view of  Grumman XTB3F-1S Guardian in flight
NH Bluejacket's Manual

Pre-1962 Naval Aircraft Designation Systems

By Lieutenant Commander Thomas J. Cutler, U.S. Navy (Retired)
August 2019
Readers of naval history prior to 1962 will encounter several other aircraft identification systems used by the sea services.

Quicklinks

Footer menu

  • About the Naval Institute
  • Books & Press
  • Naval History
  • USNI News
  • Proceedings
  • Oral Histories
  • Events
  • Naval Institute Foundation
  • Photos & Historical Prints
  • Advertise With Us
  • Naval Institute Archives

Receive the Newsletter

Sign up to get updates about new releases and event invitations.

Sign Up Now
Example NewsletterPrivacy Policy
USNI Logo White
Copyright © 2025 U.S. Naval Institute Privacy PolicyTerms of UseContact UsAdvertise With UsFAQContent LicenseMedia Inquiries
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
×

You've read 1 out of 5 free articles of Proceedings this month.

Non-members can read five free Proceedings articles per month. Join now and never hit a limit.