Photo FBA Flying Boat

[Stig Jarlevik]

I have very little on the FBA in Russia, but I believe initially (type A, B and C) the main difference were their engines. Type B had a more angular fin/rudder while the type C had a more rounded one

These early FBA used some four-five different engines and before the Type H came on the line, there was basically very little difference unless you get a perfect photo.

It also seems the French Navy identified these aircraft with their engine power only and French historians differ what they should be called.

For instance, while Gerhard Hartmann says Aviation Maritime bought both type B and C, (also stated by Soltan/Davilla) Lucien Morareau claims they were only type C regardless of engine power.

The serial number on this one is not French (assuming the French Navy used FBA c/n as their serial numbers) and is I believe a Russian Naval one.

Adding all things up I believe the aircraft is a type C. While the engine is very difficult to see I think I see a more curved fin....

BTW, it is quite odd that Zoltan/Davilla says the Russians bought exactly the same number of type B and C, and on top of that also built exactly the same number of each under licence....

Cheers
Stig