Curtiss 'MF' Seagull Hydroaeroplane Auction

On the subject of the Curtiss Seagull, but not specifically the auction example, can someone tell me the story behind the 1968 exchange between the Science Museum and the Canada Aviation & Space Museum whereby the latter received the 1920 Curtiss Seagull flying boat 15.1586 (?) and the former received the nose section of a Dakota. I know that it was over forty years ago and the Seagull had suffered bomb damage during the last war but, even by the standards then prevailing, it does seem to have been a rather unequal bargain!

The auction catalog reads like they were selling it as an art object rasther than an aircraft.

Over on the other forum, the Cleveland museum that sold it has come under a lot of criticism for selling various asssets in recent years.

A racing Corsair was sold to a collector…and appearently hasn’t been flown or seen since (he has a huge car collection as well, not open to the public)…and a race Mustang is also reportedly on the block
(Cleveland was the home of air races both pre & post war, so that’s why a local museum would have race planes).

And from auction reports I read in conjunction with my other interest, the museum has also sold many high-end vintage autos as well.

Mike
Its better than that, the 912 is 1211cc giving 80hp and the 912s is 1352cc and gets 100hp.
I would much prefer something that sounded more like a Pobjoy Niagara which incidentally was 2800cc and gave 98hp.

Richard

Oh yes the Pobjoy radials. Set the tappets with a screwdriver tip while the engine’s running. It was close enough:D Incidentally what size is the 914 which is reputed to give 115hp?

I suppose the new owner will be revealed eventually – I wonder if it is staying in the US.

Final price was 506 000 dollars, and that is not including premium. Buyer remained anonymous –*he bidded by telephone.

Amazing how little power was derived from such a large engine. 100 hp from an engine of over 8 litres. Pretty poor compared with modern engines. An 80 hp Rotax is something like 2.2 litres. Isn’t it marvellous what you can achieve with a little more advanced technology?

Mike
Its better than that, the 912 is 1211cc giving 80hp and the 912s is 1352cc and gets 100hp.
I would much prefer something that sounded more like a Pobjoy Niagara which incidentally was 2800cc and gave 98hp.

Richard

I saw that it was expected to fetch $500,000 plus. Does anyone know the final price?

Okay maybe that wasn’t a good comparison. The trusty O-200 produces 100 hp from, IIRC, about 4 litres. Just goes to show that in a very short space of time engine technology had move on. I believe the 80hp Jabiru is also about 2 and a bit litres. I don’t know why everyone complains about the noise of Rotax engines, I find them very sewing machines like. There’s not a lot of noise from them even at take off power, they just don’t sound like an aero engine should is all that wrong with them.

Mike,would you prefer to be pushed along with the timeless clattering mellifluosity of an OXX6 V-8,or the screaming din of a Rotax ? It is after all `a Gentleman`s airborne/seaborne carriage`…

Amazing how little power was derived from such a large engine. 100 hp from an engine of over 8 litres. Pretty poor compared with modern engines. An 80 hp Rotax is something like 2.2 litres. Isn’t it marvellous what you can achieve with a little more advanced technology?

I see the Seagull sold for $506,000. Unfortunately my lottery win was too late to get a bid in, infact im’e still waiting for it.

Richard

Dare I ask! Will it be at Le***** ? Ray:D

I see the Seagull sold for $506,000. Unfortunately my lottery win was too late to get a bid in, infact im’e still waiting for it.

Richard

Note: “estimate on request” – although perhaps it should say that if you need to ask, then you can’t afford it!

That’s a work of art