Who needs a SEABEE PROJECT?

Versatile · **Joined:** Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:35 pm **Posts:** 636

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photohound ... 17740@N25/

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:23 pm

It doesn't look has bad has Sam richardson's after he hit a cow :shock:

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Jul 03, 2007 11:31 pm

I would love to get my hands on that thing.

bax101 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:01 pm

ive never seen one of those. When were they made?

visaliaaviation · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:01 pm **Posts:** 353

when were they made?

Early wood fabric two place design development took place immediatly prior to WWII. Republic bought and developed a larger all metal prototype during the war, in preparation for the percieved boom in private aircaft sales, forecast to be inevitable post war.This project was to replace lost production contracts of P-47 PRIOR to the end of hostilities.
Production Seabee was simplified version of the prototype, which continued thru 1947(?). Post war civilaviation boom never materialized.

Seabee was third most known of 50's TV aircraft, after the two Cessna's of SKYKING. It was a regular on Jungle Jim (Johnny Wisemueller: Tarzan, Olympic swimmer,etc).

Biggest problem of the aircraft was/is lack of power and replacement engines. They can be painfully S_L_O_W. however,a fellow came up with an approved Corvette engine conversion that is breathing new life and performance into these venerable birds.

visaliaaviation · **Joined:** Mon Jul 03, 2006 2:01 pm **Posts:** 353

Sorry,

forgot to add that abandoned aircraft can sometimes be legaly obtained thru a multi-step process of making specific inquiries to last known owners and/or relatives and declarations of intent. failure to respond in timely and correct manner leaves the door open to have it declared abandoned by local authority (usually the city or county)and the person doing the search usually has a priority claim. It bears looking into, as I'm aware of a flying Tri-pacer that was obtained in this manner. Our only costs were time , postage, and removal. Patience pays off too.

GARY HILTON · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 3:29 pm

Seabee's are also a homebuilt aircraft...I believe you can still get plans for the aircraft ...

Kyleb · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:58 pm

That Seabee is parked 50 yards from where my RV-6 is hangared. It isn't abandoned, it is just owned by a guy who has quite a few projects that are in front of it...

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:33 pm

Bob Cummings had a SeaBee in his television show also. Batchelor Father I think was the name of the show. Showing my age now. Wasn't he an Air Force vet?

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11319

Kyleb wrote:

It isn't abandoned, it is just owned by a guy who has quite a few projects that are in front of it...

Tell him it's too late, "mustangdriver" has dibs on it! :lol:

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