Exotic Birds: The Piaggio P136
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- Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024
- If given only one choice of an aircraft, my pick would go to the Piaggio P136 Royal Gull. Very few aircraft look so good, sound so good. And yet, demonstrate excellent performance in air, land and water. The Royal Gull was developed by Piaggio Aircraft in the late 40s to perform maritime patrol. They were imported to the US by Trekker Aircraft, as well as licensed-built. Of the roughly 60 Royal Gulls built, only a small handful are airworthy, and presumably. Not for sale either.
Some Gull History:
The P136 heritage draws back to Piaggio, an Italian company known for Vespa scooters and ocean liners. While war damage seemed to spell the end for Piaggio in 1945, they rose, introducing the world to the Royal Gull by 1948.
Originally powered by Franklin engines, the Royal Gull started as a humble amphibian. Yet, these engines limited its abilities. The solution? The Lycoming G.O480 engines. With these, the aircraft shined, outperforming rivals like the Grumman Widgeon. It could operate from small water stretches, fly faster, and carry impressive loads.
The pusher configuration was purposeful: it reduced water spray, lowered noise, and optimized engine cooling. Piaggio produced variants for both military and civilian needs, prioritizing comfort and functionality. Aboard, one finds easy cabin access, thoughtful luggage compartments, and advanced water steering mechanisms.
Its boat-like design influences its flight style. Over land, it behaves like other twin-engined aircraft, albeit slightly slower. On water, it’s agile, designed to dodge obstacles and decelerate swiftly. Its unique features, like large flaps and fabric-covered controls, enhance its versatility.
Beyond leisure, the Royal Gull served in rescue and patrol roles for the Italian Air Force and even piqued the interest of tycoon Aristotle S. Onassis. But its American story began with Francis K. Trecker. Upon witnessing the Royal Gull in Italy, Trecker was spellbound. Envisioning its fit in the American landscape, he collaborated with Piaggio, introducing a modified version tailored for North America.
Today, this aircraft's allure persists. Four Royal Gulls soar the U.S., with dedicated enthusiasts ensuring their upkeep. Their esteemed presence at Oshkosh Airventure, amid myriad aircraft, attests to their timeless charm. The Royal Gull is not just aviation history; it's a beacon of ambition and innovation.
Video Credits:
• Piaggio Royal Gull at ...
• Piaggio Royal Gull
• Piaggio Royal Gull P.1...
• Pilot Lounge - John Mo...
• Royal Gull 4min.
• Piaggio p.136 Royal Gu...
• Flying Boat Fly-off
• A Walk around N40040 A...
• Oshkosh 2018 Piaggio D...
• Piaggio P.136 Unparkin...
• N359 Piaggio P.136-L2 ...
• Blue Horizons (Republi...
• Vespa 50cc - Vintage C...
• Vespa 50cc - Vintage C...
• Oshkosh 2023 View from...
• Drone Over Oshkosh
• BREATHTAKING VIEW OF R...
• Target For Today: Dest...
• 1000 Forts Pound Berli...
Bring it back into production! Simply beautiful.
Let’s send a petition to Piaggio 😂
A company recently formed in Darwin Australia is putting the Grumman Goose back into production all -be-it with upgrades in powerplants and avionics
@@rogerwilco4736 That's very welcomed news!
Well I'll be...... I grew up with Seaplanes and I'm a pilot. I absolutely love Seaplanes. This is the first time I have ever seen this design. I LOVE IT!!! I hope a plastic model of it is available.
I first spotted the Piaggio in some illustrated aircraft history book when I was a kid and have been in love since. I'd never in a million years believe there would still be any flying in this day and age, let alone have a chance to see one in the flesh at Oshkosh (I almost melted, lol)
They were on the cover of a 1950s Flying Magazine.
Never heard of or saw one before. Thanks for sharing.
One thing I didn't mention is that Piaggio took the P136, rounded out the hull and converted it into a landplane, the P166, which could accommodate more passengers or cargo. Another very cool design I find interesting. And though I can't find any articles supporting it, I truly believe the P166 must have served as a bit of inspiration for the Avanti.
Just gorgeous epicness❤🎉
Very very cool aircraft
1963 I saw 5 of the land plane successir Piaggio Portofino twin pusher land plane in New Guinea and Papua. They had engine trouble in that climate so 4 of them were in hangars with the engines being worked on. The Cessna Push Pulls were common but suffered from rear engine reliability .
Hey at 2:10 the Gulls are flying out of the EAA Seabase on Winnabago (Loyd Anderson was there)!
Hi nice video! Where did you get the footage of N40040? Thats my grandfathers old plane, so great to see it (and him briefly!) he sold it in 2013 or so, think its one of the last three still flying!
Is it robot voice or an actual persons voice in this video? How many names can be mangled in 8 mins 43 secs?
I would very much like to fly, then own one
I've been flying for 30years and never heard of these. Does anyone know what a decent one sells for these days?
There's only 3 left flying if I'm not mistaken, none on the market at present time. Last time I heard one was actually on the market it was going for around $750k.
I just saw spotted this, no idea how current this ad is, and based on the few pictures my guess it will need a lot of work done.
www.aircraft.com/aircraft/201175871/1957-piaggio-p136-l1-royal-gull
I'm afraid you'd have more luck going for it's land plane cousin the 166 Portofino. Still not much chance even then as they were never common.
I LOVE the P166s too! In my mind, I'd love to have one but refit them with IO-720s. @@mothmagic1
Yes it goes further than a Beaver but was never serious competitor as the Beaver already had command of the niche by the time the 136 came to market.
No doubt, plus much better to have a bullet-proof R985 than cantankerous twin gophers. Still, I'd love to own this!
a bunch up on poles outside of naples italy
I highly recommend checking the correct pronunciation of words you haven't heard before, if you want your youtube channel to be taken seriously.
That was an ai-generated voice - which has been promptly retired. Human voice with correct pronunciation moving forward...
Interesting, nicely done video ruined by the AI generated narration. If it had been a common aircraft I would have quit early on.
I agree - that ai-voice has been fired! My latest video on pusher planes is my own voice, and will be that way moving forward.
The video would have been good if not for the awful AI voice
Flying boats R the COOLEST!
Tailspin was a blatant ripoff of
Miyazaki's Porko Rosso!