Fleetwings F-4 Sea Bird        N16793                                    (c/n F-401)

                              

                                   Designed by James C. Reddig in 1934, this amphibian was unique in that is was constructed of
                                   spot welded stainless steel.   It literally sparkled in the sun!   The F-4 was a prototype which
                                   was to have led to the production of the enhanced F-5.      In the event, the Depression in the
                                  1930s depleted the market for such machines and only 5 F-5s were built.. The above shot was
                                   taken at Whiteman Air Park in Pacoima, California in 1990.   It was being fussed over by an
                                   ancient bloke who apparently had owned it for years.    He must've been then what my age is
                                   now (89) but blithely powered the thing up and took off soon after this shot was taken! 
                                   Clearly something I wouldn't have the courage to do!    The Sea Bird was still at Whiteman
                                   into the 2000s, and possibly is still there.