The only one of the type. Built in 1936. Current on the register in 2025.

Photographer unknown

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 one and only Fleetwings F-4 Sea Bird pictured during the time it was owned by Volitan Aviation of Pacoima/CA. The photo was taken by retired Fleetwings test pilot (William H. Engle) who originally flew it in 1937. He tracked it down to see how it had survived the years in between. Collection holder William Engle is the son of Fleetwings test pilot William H. Engle.

The second F-5 Sea Bird moored opposite downtown Miami at Virginia Key while on a sales tour that included Nassau/Bahamas and Havana/Cuba. The aircraft is Oklahoma based in 2024.

The prototype Sea Bird on the ramp outside the Fleetwings seaplane factory. The FAA serial number is confirmed by the log book of pilot William H. Engle whose first flight in it was on 25 March 1937. That and all subsequent flights were recorded as on X16793. The skin is 0.010 thick stainless steel and it has been given a swirl finish to make it look attractive. The wing and empennage structures are also made from stainless steel with fabric covering. Engine is a Jacobs L-5 giving 285 hp. The three-section landing gear fairing disappeared from photos from 1938 on, however this aircraft was seen at Oshkosh 1992 with fairings, although possibly not originals. Texas based as N16793 in 2024. Photo from: Alan Reddig via Tim Martin

The prototype Sea Bird still in beautiful shape after over 80 years. The only sign of its age is the wrinkled skin which is a mere 0.010 inch thick stainless steel. At a period when most aircraft lasted about 10 years I'm sure Fleetwings did not worry about long-term skin durability at the design phase. Thanks go to then owner Walter Bowe, who arranged the photo session, for allowing its use. The aircraft is Texas based in 2024. Photo from: William Engle (photo credit Scott Slocum) via Tim Martin

The third F-5 made its initial test flight on 19 March 1939 in the hands of test pilot William H. Engle. It was still at the factory by late November 1939 and photographed after delivery at Raby Field/MS with a Civil Air Patrol badge on the side. Oklahoma based in 2024. 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.

Registered CF-BGZ on 14 September 1937 ex NC16793 and here on the Fleetwings seaplane ramp prior to delivery. It was registered to Northern Ventures Ltd of Fort St James, BC initially. It was damaged in a landing accident on 7 March 1939 at Hamilton/ON and returned to the U.S. for repair in June 1939. Texas based as N16793 in 2024.

The stainless steel Sea Bird prototype in Newport Beach, California. The 1960 date given might be a guess.

Constructed of stainless steel. For a flying boat, this at least made some sense, avoiding any corrosion problems. The aircraft was certainly durable: this four-seat prototype, preserved at the Golden Wings Musem in Minnesota, was still reported to be flying once a year in 2015. Five F-5 five-seaters were also built. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

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

James Reddig, the designer of the stainless steel Sea Bird, was a member of the exclusive Long Island Aviation Country Club. NX16793, the four-seat prototype, went to a Canadian mining company as CF-BGZ in September 1937. This would confirm that some of Alfred Eisenstaedt's shots from Hicksville were taken in 1937, but he also seems to have visited in 1938 - see photo 654843. Photo by: Alfred Eisenstaedt / Life

The sole Fleetwings F-401 Seabird four-seat amphibian. Built in 1936 using stainless steel. Preserved airworthy in Greg Herrick's private museum at Anoka-Blaine.

The fifth and last F-5 Sea Bird to be built in 1936. This rare five-seat amphibian had a stainless steel fuselage. Taken by Captain J.L. Bailey and submitted with permission of his son. Wrecked when it crashed during a test flight on 27 October 1949.