The Piaggio P.136 was an Italian twin-engine amphibian flying boat designed and manufactured by aircraft company Piaggio Aero. It is furnished with an all-metal hull, pusher propellers, a gull wing, and retractable landing gear.
Piaggio P.136
A Piaggio P.136
P.136 L-1 during takeoff
P.136L-1
An amphibious aircraft or amphibian is an aircraft that can take off and land on both solid ground and water. They are typically fixed-wing, though amphibious helicopters do exist as well. Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are seaplanes which are equipped with retractable wheels, at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy compared to planes designed specifically for land-only or water-only operation. Some amphibians are fitted with reinforced keels which act as skis, allowing them to land on snow or ice with their wheels up.
A Canadair CL-415 amphibian with retractable wheels
Vickers Viking - an early amphibian.
replica of Osa's Ark - a Sikorsky S-38 used to explore Africa in the 1930s.
Italian Air Force Piaggio P.136 during takeoff retracting the wheels that make it an amphibian.