Aeromarine AS-2 Float Plane, single-engine scout biplane, airplane photos

Aeromarine AS-2 Float Plane
Single-engine Scout Biplane

Archive Photos ²

Aeromarine AS-2 Float Plane (U.S. Navy photo via the Skytamer Archive)

Overview ^1,3

Aeromarine AS-2
Role: Scout Biplane
National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Aeromarine Plane and Motor Company
Primary user: US Navy
Number built: 3 (1 AS-1, 2 AS-2)
Unit cost: $18,450 each

The Aeromarine AS was a seaplane fighter aircraft evaluated by the US Navy in the early 1920s. The AS-1 (A5612) and two improved AS-2s (A5613, A5614) out of the Navy’s interest in the two-seat German Brandenburg seaplane scouts used along the Belgium in 1918. A unique design feature of each was the low position of the vertical tail to give gunner a clear field of fire to the rear.

Development and Design ³

Other than the vertical stabilizer, it was configured as a conventional two-bay biplane on twin pontoons, with two seats. The sole example of the original design, designated AS-1 had an inverted fin. After evaluation testing, the Navy ordered two aircraft, designated AS-2. The AS-2 had cruciform tails and larger radiators, and ailerons on both upper and lower wings.

Variants ²

A.S.-1: 1 built (A5612)
A.S.-2: 2 built (A5613 and A5614)

Operator ³

United States: United States Navy

Specifications and Performance Data (AS-1) ³

General Characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 30 ft 10 in (9.40 m)
Wingspan:: 37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Height: 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m)
Wing area: 386 ft² (35.9 m²)
Empty weight: 2,298 lb (1,042 kg)
Gross weight: 3,233 lb (1,466 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Wright-Hispano E, 300 hp (220 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 117 mph (188 km/h; 102 kn)
Stall speed: 56 mph (49 kn; 90 km/h)
Endurance: 3 h
Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,877 m)
Rate of climb: 750 ft/min (3.8 m/s)

Armament

2 × machine guns

References ²

Photo: The Aircraft Yearbook 1922, Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, Inc., New York, 1922, p. 103
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Aeromarine A.S.