Lake Buccaneer

The Lake Buccaneer is an American four-seat, light amphibious aircraft derived from the Colonial C-2 Skimmer, itself a development of the three-seat Colonial C-1 Skimmer.

Development
The Colonial Aircraft of Sanford, Maine developed the C-2 Skimmer in the 1950s as a four-seat variant of the earlier three-seat C-1 Skimmer. The name was changed to Lake in 1959, along with some design improvements. Produced until 1970, this version was designated as the Lake LA-4 Amphibian.

From 1969-1972 the company sold some LA-4s modified under a Supplemental Type Certificate as flying boats, without landing gear, but with removable beaching wheels, under the name Lake LA-4S Seaplane.

In 1970 a 200 hp fuel injected Lycoming IO-360 engine was fitted and the resulting aircraft was named the Buccaneer. This model replaced both the LA-4 and Seaplane in production and has a higher cruise speed as well as 200 lb increased gross weight. Fuel tanks were also added to the wing pontoons, with 7.5 USgal per side, taking fuel capacity from 40 USgal to 55 USgal.

A six-seat development in 1982, with a lengthened hull was named Renegade, this had either a 250 hp or a turbocharged 270 hp engine. A military version was called the Seawolf.

Design
The LA-4 is a cantilever, shoulder-wing monoplane amphibian with a single-step all-metal hull with retractable tricycle landing gear. It is powered by an Lycoming O-360 180 hp piston engine in pusher configuration, pylon-mounted above the hull.

Variants

 * LA-4 Amphibian
 * Production version with a Lycoming O-360 A1A 180 hp, type certified 26 July 1960. This differed from the Colonial C-2 in having four foot greater span, revised nose, doors, higher gross weight and reinforcement of the wing and wing-to-fuselage carry-through structure.


 * LA-4A
 * Shorter bow from the Colonial C-2, only two built. Type certified 1 June 1960.


 * LA-4P
 * LA-4 prototype, one only built. Type certified 21 June 1960.


 * LA-4S Seaplane
 * Version without wheeled landing gear, produced 1969-72 under STC SA781EA approved 8 July 1969 and amended 28 November 1969, issued to Revo, Inc.


 * LA-4T
 * Turbocharged version with 180 hp Lycoming O-360 A1D engine and Rayjay turbocharger. Not produced.


 * LA-4-200 Buccaneer
 * Lycoming IO-360 A1B 200 hp


 * LA-4-200EP "Lake EP"
 * Lycoming IO-360 A1B6 200 hp Standard fuel floats