During the last three months of 1936 five Viking OO-1 open cockpit seaplanes were obtained from the Viking Flying Boat Company of New Haven, Connecticut. These aircraft were derived from the Schravions Schreck-FBA designed by Louis Schreck. The Coast Guard had previously purchased a seaplane of this type, listed as experimental, directly from the factory in France. It was destroyed by fire in 1934.
The Viking Company initially secured a license to manufacture these aircraft in the United States in late 1929. This was followed by a merger and the manufacturing activities moved to the Viking Company facilities in New Haven. They intended to reach the wealthy sportsmen along the coastal areas but the economic collapse of the 1930s precluded this. In the mid 1930s the Coast Guard was looking for a small economical utility seaplane and based on previous experience with the original Schravions-Schreck aircraft placed the order for five Viking aircraft powered by a Wright Whirlwind R-760 engine. The difference between the cruise speed of 88mph and the stall speed of 48 mph provided a good margin of safety and a low water entry speed for water operations. The cost was $6500 per aircraft. They were designated OO-1. The last of these aircraft was decommissioned April of 1941.
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Manufacturer Viking Boat Company |
Engine 250 hp Wright Whirlwind R-760 |
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Designation OO-1 |
Propeller 2 blade wood-fixed pitch |
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Type Seaplane |
Fuel Capacity 60 gals |
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Length 29 ft 4in |
Range 390 miles |
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Wing Span 38 ft 7 in |
Max Speed 104 mph |
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Gross Weight 5900 pounds |
Cruise Speed 88 mph |
