Aeromarine AM-1

The Aeromarine AM-1 was a biplane built to pursue a US Air Mail Service requirement for a nighttime transport.

Design and development
The AM-1 was completed 122 days from the announcement of a 1924 requirement for a nighttime mail plane capable of hauling 300 lb of mail. The contest was lost to Douglas aircraft.

The AM-1 was a biplane with conventional landing gear, it featured an all-metal fuselage with metal covering .32 in thick. The engine was fully cowled with the exhaust stacks stretching behind the pilot. The water-cooled engine used a centrally mounted radiator mounted above the top wing for visibility. Two streamlined fuel tanks sat on top of the wings. The upper wing was larger than the lower wing, each using spruce spars. The tail surfaces were aluminum framed with fabric covering. Many components were common with the design of the Aeromarine AMC flying boat.

Variants

 * Aeromarine AM-1
 * Base version


 * Aeromarine AM-2
 * A slight redesign to address nose drop with engine out, and drag. The aircraft was the same as an AM-1 except the radiator was relocated under the fuselage.


 * Aeromarine AM-3
 * Radiator moved to the front of the engine, tested with 350hp engine, found to be under-performing.