About Lake Amphibians
A "Lake Amphibian" is the general term applied to the family
of single-engine, amphibious flying boats, starting with the Colonial Skimmer in the late
1940's, and continuing today through the Turbo Seafury and Seawolf.
Lake Amphibians have their roots in the grand tradition of
flying boats maintained by the Grumman Corporation through the first half of the
20th century. The Lake's basic design was created by former Grumman
designers shortly after the end of World War II, and refined through the years.
Today, Lakes are the only certified production amphibious
flying boat being produced (albeit at a modest rate.)
In many ways, a Lake is a true "all-terrain vehicle."
Able to access remote mountain and bush country lakes, otherwise inaccessible by
motorized vehicle, Lakes bring the wilderness within reach. They also are
used for personal transportation, wildlife study, and even military roles.
The basic Lake models are:
Photo
|
Model
|
Description
|
 |
Colonial XC-1 Skimmer
prototype |
The
original amphibious flying boat design, by David Thurston
No. places: 2-3
Engine: Lycoming O-235 115HP
Gross weight: 2,150
Fuel: 40 gallons
Useful load: 700This is the prototype XC-1 Skimmer
in 1948 with less than 25 hours on her. There are many items that
will be changed soon, namely the 115 horsepower engine, and the
turtle-back and the rudder and water rudder, just to name a few. It is
believed to be taken at the Aviation Country Club at Hicksville, LI, NY,
shortly to become Levittown. David Thurston photo.
Serial number 1, N6595K, built 1948, presently under restoration
-- John Staber, photo by David Thurston |
 |
Colonial C-1 Skimmer |
Initial
production of Thurston's design
No. places: 2-3
Engine: Lycoming O-235 115HP
Gross weight: 2,150
Fuel: 40 gallons
Useful load: 700
Serial number 13, N253B, built 1957
-- John Staber |
 |
Colonial C-2 Skimmer |
Refinement
of the original design; more oomph, more passengers
No. places: 4
Engine: Lycoming O-360 180HP
Gross weight: 2,350
Fuel: 40 gallons
Useful load: 825
Serial number 40, N281B, built 1959
-- John Staber |
 |
Lake Amphibian LA-4-180 |
The
"classic Lake Amphibian"; lengthened fuselage, enclosed nose gear
No. places: 4
Engine: Lycoming O-360 180HP
Gross weight: 2,400
Fuel: 40 gallons
Useful load: 825
Serial number 426, N45L, 1969
-- Bob Stebbins |
 |
Lake Buccaneer
LA-4-200 |
The "Buc": the most
popular (or at least populous) Lake; added HP
No. places: 4
Engine: Lycoming IO-360 A1B 200HP
Gross weight: 2,600
Fuel: 40 gallons (Note: optional sponson tanks bring total to 54 gal.,
gross weight to 2,690 lbs.)
Useful load: 1165
Serial number 1066, N8012D, built 1981
-- Steve Whitney |
 |
Lake
LA-4-200EP |
EP -- Extended prop (or
extra performance, depending on your viewpoint);
cargo door, fuel floats standard
No. places: 4
Engine: Lycoming IO-360 A1B6 200HP
Gross weight: 2,690
Fuel: 54 gallons
Serial number 1083, N41EP, built 1982
-- Marc Rodstein |
 |
LA-250 |
Renegade / (later
renamed) Seafury-- Stretch fuselage & more power
No. places: 4-6
Engine: Lycoming IO540 C4B5 250HP
Gross weight: 3,140
Fuel: 90 gallons
Useful load: 1,165
Serial number 53, N8401S
-- Bruce Rivard,
Team Lake |
 |
LA-270 |
Turbo Renegade / Turbo
Seafury -- Turbocharged power at altitude
No. places: 4
Engine: Lycoming TIO-540-AA1AD 270HP
Gross weight: 3,140
Fuel: 90 gallons
Useful load: 1,065Serial number 91, N8423Q
-- Bruce Rivard,
Team Lake |
 |
Military versions |
Sea Wolf
A militarized version of the Turbo Seafury,
complete with 290 HP turbocharged engine, a higher gross weight, and 6
NATO standard hard points under the wings for mounting rockets, guns,
night vision equipment, radar, and infrared and visible spectrum
cameras.Ranger
Similar to the Sea Wolf, with the 290 HP engine
and higher gross weight, but without the military bells and whistles.
Serial number 129, N59CA
-- Paul Furnee,
Aircraft
Innovation |
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