Felixstowe F5L

Curtiss F-5-L Patrol plane at Pensacola Naval Air Station

The twin engine F5L, was also known as the Curtiss F5L, and as the civilian version Aeromarine 75. Part of the Felixstowe F series of flying boats jointly developed by the British and Americans during World War I, the F5L was an American built version of the Felixstowe F.5. It only entered service at the end of the war and was the US Navy’s standard patrol plane until 1928, when they were replaced by the PN-12.

Production

The F5L was built by the US Naval Aircraft Factory (127) , Curtiss (60) and Canadian Aeroplanes Limited (30). Some were converted for civilian use by Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company in 1919. Named the Aeromarine 75, it could accommodate 10 passengers and was operated by Aeromarine Airways on flights from Key West to Havana, carring the first US Post office international air mail, on flights from New York to Atlantic City, and from Cleveland to Detroit.

Aeromarine 75 on regular flights in the carrbean.

Specifications (F5L)

Data from Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum[1]

General characteristics

• Length: 49 ft 4 in (15 m)
• Wingspan: 103 ft (31.6 m)
• Height: 18 ft 9 in (5.7 m)
• Empty weight: 8,720 lb (3,955 kg)
• Powerplant: 2× Liberty 12A , 400 hp (kW) each

Performance

• Range: mi (km)

Armament

• Patrol only

References

• Smithsonian National Air and Space article on the F5L

Related content

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Felixstowe F5L

Related development
Felixstowe F.2a

Designation sequence
Felixstowe Porte Baby - Felixstowe F.2 - Felixstowe F.3 - Felixstowe F.5