Fastest Aircraft to Take Off from Water
- Shashwat Dwivedi
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Spitfire Floatplane: 377 mph
The Spitfire is arguably one of the most iconic fighters of all time. The idea to attaching floats to it was developed when the RAF faced a shortage of airfields to deploy fighters during the Norway campaign.
Saunders-Roe SR.45 Princess: 380mph
Weighing 86,000 kg and boasting a greater wingspan than a Boeing 747, the Princess was conceived as a luxurious transatlantic airliner. Though impressive, the Princess was the grandest example of an idea that was rapidly becoming obsolete.
Supermarine S.6 Series: 407.5mph
Before designing the iconic Spitfire, its creator developed some very fast floatplanes. The S.6 obliterated the competition to win the 1929 Schneider Trophy, finishing 60mph faster than the second-placed Macchi MC.67.
Beriev Be-200 - 430 mph
Beriev was rare, producing one of the few jet-powered seaplanes to exist. It is used for firefighting, air ambulance, search and rescue, maritime patrol, and other transport duties.
Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72: 441mph
The Italian Macchi-Castoldi M.C.72 combined a wealth of innovative features with outstanding beauty. Although conceived to compete for the 1931 Schneider Trophy, it was ruled out due to its late completion.
Beriev R-1 – 500mph
The R-1 first flew on 20 May 1952. Capable of an impressive 500 mph, it was armed with two forward-firing and two tail-mounted 23-mm cannons, along with up to 1000 kg of munitions. Its single prototype suffered from vibration and instability, ultimately crashing the following year.
Saunders-Roe SR.A/1: 512 mph
Inspired by Japanese floatplane fighters, British manufacturer Saunders-Roe believed they can do better. The result was an aircraft capable of 512 mph, armed with four 20-mm cannons. However, SR.A/1 arrived too late, as the war in the Pacific was ending.
Beriev Be-10 ‘Mallow’: 570 mph
The Beriev Be-10 ‘Mallow’ was designed for reconnaissance, bombing, torpedo delivery, and mine-laying missions. With a top speed more than twice that of its predecessors, it smashed 12 in-class world records in speed, altitude, and payload, which still stand today.
Martin P6M SeaMaster: 686 mph
The American Martin P6M SeaMaster was planned as a strategic bomber and minelayer for the U.S. Navy, capable of flying just above the waves at near supersonic speeds. A bold design, it featured a T-tail and rotating weapons bay from the XB-51 bomber.
Convair F2Y Sea Dart - 695 mph
The sleek, delta-winged Sea Dart was a beautiful sight as it took off and landed on the water. designed to be a fighter interceptor for the United States Navy, it could reach speeds of up to Mach 1.25, making it the only supersonic seaplane in history.
