Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:04:32-1:05:33

Were seaplanes meant to operate from the open ocean?

Post-First World War navies generally avoided open-ocean seaplane work, favoring sheltered-water support until helicopters displaced the role.

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Question

How did navies imagine using seaplanes in the open ocean?

Short answer

They generally did not after the First World War, preferring sheltered bases until helicopters made shipboard recovery practical.

Notes

First World War experience had made routine open-ocean seaplane operations unattractive. Tenders were expected to support aircraft from sheltered harbors or nearby shore facilities. In the proposed alternative to the Courageous and Ark Royal submarine hunts, a tender could provide aircraft from a nearby base. Autogyros offered a limited interim possibility, and helicopters eventually displaced seaplanes in these shipboard roles.