PN-12
The PN-12 was a twin-engine flying boat with an all metal hull construction built by the Naval Aircraft Factory to replace the aging F-5Ls. The normal crew was 5, but a relief crew could be carried for long patrols. Lacking the mass production capability, NAF contracted out the design to several aircraft companies. Douglas Aircraft Company built the PN-12 aircraft as the PD-1; Glenn L. Martin Company built it as the PM-1 and PM- 2; and Keystone Aircraft Corporation built it as the PK-1. Each company introduced small modifications to the basic design. The first aircraft was received on 30 August 1928.
PD-1
The PD-1 was a Douglas built version of the Naval Aircraft Factory's PN-12 design. The unique design of the flattened engine nacelles at the rear for smooth air flow was its primary recognition feature. The PD-1's first flight was in the spring of 1929. The Bureau of Aeronautics' first contract for the PD-1 was issued to the Douglas Company on 29 December 1927. Douglas built 25 PD-1s and VP-7B received the first PD-1 on 10 July 1929. The aircraft was of aluminum alloy construction with fabric covered wings. It was last reported in squadron inventory on 31 October 1936, assigned to VP-6F.
PK-1
The PK-1 is another production aircraft by a private manufacturer based on a Naval Aircraft Factory design. The Keystone Company produced 18 articles from the Factory's PN-12 design for a biplane, twin tail flying boat for patrol. The PK-1 was in the Navy inventory from September 1931 to July 1938. A contract was awarded to the Keystone Aircraft Corporation to build a version of the Naval Aircraft Factory PN-12. These aircraft were distinguished by their twin rudders and fully cowled 575 hp Wright Cyclone R-1820-64 engines mounted on struts between the wings. Just prior to starting construction on the PK-1, Keystone had merged with the Loening Aeronautical Engineering Company to become Keystone-Loening. The aircraft were always known as Keystone. The first flight was estimated to be in early 1931.
PM-1
The PM-1 was the production version of the Naval Aircraft Factory PN-12 design. It was a twin engine biplane flying boat of metal and fabric covered metal construction with a crew of 5. Throughout the aircraft's service life it picked up minor modifications such as ring cowlings and enclosed pilot's cockpits. The Bureau of Aeronautics issued a contract for the PM-1 to the Martin Company on 31 May 1929. The first PM-1 was received on 31 May 1929. Martin delivered 55 aircraft (PM-1s and PM-2s) to the Navy. On 21 August 1930 VP-8S was the first squadron to receive the PM-1. VP-16 was the last squadron to report the PM-1 in its inventory on 30 April 1938.
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