The Iris had a plywood-covered wooden hull with a streamlined shape and a sharp two-step V-bottom. Its clean run across the water helped it reach takeoff speed quickly. Generating enough lift to become airborne required full engine power, with high fuel use and strain on the aircraft. The same need to gain speed economically applied to aircraft taking off from land. Floating and steady flight were comparatively undemanding, while takeoff and landing imposed greater strain. Shortening the transition therefore saved fuel and reduced the demands on the aircraft. The closing line praises the Iris's appearance and calls the construction of only four aircraft "cruelty".
Notable Point · 0:51-1:52
Hull form and the difficult transition to flight
The Iris's plywood-covered wooden hull and sharp two-step V-bottom helped it accelerate cleanly on the water. A quicker takeoff reduced the time spent at full engine power, saving fuel and limiting strain on the aircraft.