Boeing Model 1

B & W Seaplane
Replica of the Boeing B&W Seaplane at the Museum of Flight
Role	Seaplane
Manufacturer	Boeing
Designer	William Edward Boeing George Conrad Westervelt
First flight	29 June 1916
Primary user	New Zealand Flying School
Number built	2

The Boeing Model 1, also known as the B & W Seaplane, was a United States single-engine biplane seaplane aircraft. It was the first Boeing product and carried the initials of its designers, William Boeing and Lt. Conrad Westervelt USN.

Design

The first B & W was completed in June 1916 at Boeing's boathouse hangar on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. It was made of wood, with wire bracing, and was linen-covered. It was similar to the Martin trainer aircraft that Boeing owned, but the B & W had better pontoons and a more powerful engine. The first B & W was named Bluebill, and the second was named Mallard. They first flew on 29 June 1916, and in November, respectively.

Operational history

The two B & Ws were offered to the United States Navy. When the Navy did not buy them, they were sold to the New Zealand Flying School and became the company's first international sale. On June 25, 1919 the B&W set a New Zealand altitude record of 6,500 feet. The B & Ws were later used for express and airmail deliveries, making New Zealand's first official airmail flight on December 16, 1919.

Former Operators

New Zealand

• New Zealand Flying School

Specifications (B & W Seaplane)

Data from Boeing: History

General characteristics

• Crew: 2

Performance

References

• Bowers, Peter M. Boeing aircraft since 1916. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.