Test pilot William H. Engle was in California on a demonstration tour with the first F-5 Sea Bird. Here he is showing it to Hollywood actor Wallace Beery, who wanted to keep the aircraft at his seaside home so he could hop in and go fishing. Engle plunged through the surf to show it could be done, but advised the actor it was too dangerous for a low time pilot to attempt. Collection holder William Engle is the son of Fleetwings test pilot William H. Engle.

The first F-5 version which made its initial flight on 16 January 1938 with test pilot William H. Engle at the controls. The F-5 was a modified version of the F-4 with accommodation for five occupants (instead of four). Here it is parked on the Fleetwings seaplane ramp with both the nose mooring hatch and passenger access hatch open. Registration cancelled on 27 April 1948. Collection holder William Engle is the son of Fleetwings test pilot William H. Engle.

The first of six F-5 amphibians from Fleetwings. The fuselage is stainless steel. NC16918 was cancelled from the register in 1948. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution