Republic Seabee

[pengyman89]

Republic, whenever they delivered a new Seabee would always have a brick with the registration on it in the cabin. If the aircraft had an engine malfunction and an emergency landing was needed the idea was that the brick would predict where the airplane would make it (the common thought being that the glide ratio was extremely poor).

John (names have been changed for privacy ) had been flying his seabee for years without a problem but eventually the day came where his engine crapped out on him. He reached in the back, grabbed the brick, opened the window and chucked the brick out into the wild blue yonder.

John then proceeded to bring his aircraft down and landed it safely. He climbed out of the cabin and WHACK! Was hit in the head by the falling brick.

[Ashar]

LOL...I wonder how much truth there is in that story

[Jared]

[beaky]

Funny, but something tells me it's not true to any extent.

I don't know where these terrible SeaBee tales come from... it's no glider, but neither are a lot of other planes from that era- like the Bellanca Viking.   Plenty of SeaBees still flying, but good luck trying to find one for sale!!  ;D

[pengyman89]

they got a bad rep as poor gliders but that was unfounded. My grandfather owned a seabee for a number of years and it's still one of his favourite aircraft. He said it flew beautifully and was a joy to own. I'm sure he wishes he hadn't sold it when he did.