The long takeoff surface available on water allowed early aircraft to lift larger loads. Aviation had few prepared airfields, especially fields with tarmac runways, so a broad stretch of water could offer more usable distance than a rough land strip. That advantage made bomb-carrying flying boats plausible when suitable land bases were scarce. It also helps explain why some early heavy-bomber proposals used boats.
Notable Point · 6:15-7:08
Water takeoff space and early bombing potential
Water offered a much longer takeoff run than most early airfields, helping make bomb-carrying flying boats plausible.