Why aren't military seaplanes a thing anymore?
>can take off and land anywhere there is enough water
Go to bed, Sparky
Mostly obsolete. Pretty much the only place you'll find seaplanes these days is Japan and presumably other pacific island nations.
Because you have a giant fucking heavy thing underslung your plane, slowing you down
The A6m2N which you have pictured was only used defensively by the japs because it was cheaper to put floats on zeros than make quality airfields on their captured islands
Seaplanes were used almost exclusively by the japanese because of the horrendous distances involved in the pacific theatre. Its why ships like the Akitsushima were created.
The americans however, just built more carriers and europe just wasn't big enough to worry about something like this
Because helicopters + mid air refuelling + winches
>>32136556
That's a sexy ship
>>32136556
So you say its just doctrinal & institutional inertia preventing seaplanes?
>>32137009
that pretty much it
>>32137009
He clearly stated:
>Because you have a giant fucking heavy thing underslung your plane, slowing you down
>>32136524
seaplanes can only land on flat water, ie lakes, bays, etc. you can read stories about seaplanes being severely damaged in WW2 rescuing downed pilots by landing in choppy sea
>>32136524
>Why aren't more planes the worst type of planes?
>>32136524
Impractical if your goal is air superiority or maritime patrol. Carrier-based assets perform the former better and land-based long-range recce aircraft perform the latter better. Making an airplane seaworthy severely compromised its performance and survivability.
>>32136556
>Because you have a giant fucking heavy thing underslung your plane, slowing you down
>tfw no fighter variant of the PC.7
They tired taking sea planes into the modern age. It wasn't worth it.
Only one good application for a seaplane; heavy cargo.
I would imagine a c-130 could lift substantially more if it were flying in ground effect over water.
>>32137318
OH MY GOD THAT THING IS sexy
WHERE GET
>>32137042
There were supersonic sea planes
The performance hit is not THAT bad
>>32136524
They were another victim of the helicopter-industrial complex.
t. gliderfag
>>32137693
ekrano-130
Be still my penis
>>32136524
They are still a thing. Mostly used for transportation around sea ports and coastal bases, coast guards use them fire fighting too
>>32136598
the best
>>32136524
Because technology has advanced far enough that they are no longer necessary. Notably, helicopters exist.
>>32141038
Yes. Also thousands of airfields were built during wwii which rendered the lack of landing strips excuse, moot.
>>32136524
Because there are enough airfields now to not need them, and because seaplanes endure much higher wear and tear and suffere significant performance drawbacks.
Also even the largest seaplanes have trouble landing in open seas.
>>32137693
>>32137847
>>>
>>32136524
Helicopters.
>>32137693
>I would imagine a c-130 could lift substantially more if it were flying in ground effect over water.
This is one of those on again off again ideas
>>32136524
Because nothing gold can stay, anon.
Nothing gold can stay...
>>32136556
>it was cheaper to put floats on zeros than make quality airfields on their captured islands
they don't have bulldozer?
>>32136536
FPBP
>>32136524
Japan still does.
>>32136524
This just makes me want to become Tintin and explore/fuck shit up
>>32137777
Google "Schneider Trophy planes. Thank me later
>>32136524
Because helicopters can do most of what seaplanes were used for and you don't have to worry as much about rough sea's with a chopper.
>>32136524
you realize the weight of the entire system to be road/calm waters only compatible weighs 1/4th the whole plane right?
that means no cargo, or bombing potential
>>32136524
That's an awful lot of redundant weight you're carrying there.
>ywn be a Sky Pirate over the Adriatic Sea
>>32136524
Floatplanes are pleb-tier
Flying boat is the patrician choice
Guys, what if a plane that launched UNDER water?
>>32146167
What the fuck was that? The engine just fell off. It had to have been landing, right?