Manufacturer: Northrop

Model: N-32F

Name: Sea Raider

Type: Seaplane transport

Date:

Status: Operational

Country: United States of America

Service: U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy

Designation: C-125C (initially as R2T-1)

When someone recently mentioned the Northrop C-125 Raider in a post, I realized how much I like that forgotten transport and what potential it held for "whiffing" (what-if-ing). From that strict U.S. Air Force landplane I developed a seagoing floatplane for the U.S. Navy, the C-125C Sea Raider, presented here both in photo and three-view arrangement form, and one of my favorites works.

The floats and background were taken from the photo of Bellanca 77-320 and then the port float was stretched aft. I specifically wanted that Bellanca float arrangement for the Raider, I think they work really well together. I also had to invent the underwing housings for the main triangular struts.

• Pleasant and useful seaplane, yes... congratulations! Isn't that the first (ever) float-seaplane with a rear cargo ramp? (Tophe)
• You never cease to amaze us w/ your work  (Roddy1990)
• Awesome! Love it! (jboquiren)
• Looks like some Bellanca influence there. Those floats and struts *scream* Bellanca. The "Flying W".   I approve! (comradeloganov)
• Looks way better than the land version! (Alejandro)
• Just too much! (Caravellarella)
• Looks better with floats then the real thing did. (GTX_Admin)
• Sea Raider is inspired! Fantastic!  (pyro-manic)
• Are you telling me that Northrop DIDN'T build a Sea Raider?   [JMN mode on] But that must be the better known USAF version as it would be designated the R2T-1 in USN service surely?   [JMN mode off] (PR19_Kit)
• Great plane. For me it look like successor of Antonov An-2, build for filling gap between An-2, and bigger soviet transport planes. Especially due nose engine, and "barrelish" fuselage. (Jeremak)
• Can't you just see the Sea Raider sitting on a remote Canadian lake? And those Bellanca floats would feel right at home too   (apophenia)
• Your Sea Raider is Cool! Could you Picture your Sea Raider as a US Coast Guard Rescue Plane? (Cobra)
• That would be an amazingly handy machine. They would get snapped up by private concerns after the Navies were done. Could picture them in markings for Cousteau Society, USGS, Forest Service, many others. (Rekalnus)
• It would be a very handy bird, using a inflatable ramp extension and carrying inflatable boats, quite the rescue tool. (RussC)
• C-125C with three T-56 or similar could scoot in-out of places deposit and retrieve Seal teams. (finsrin)

Omigod. I had thought of a Navy Raider, a Coast Guard Raider... but I had never thought a Marines Raider could be possible. You're right! The list of possible versions grows and grows... Thanks folks!

Apophenia also pointed out that "Canadair planned to build the Raider as the CL-3/CL-12", which I'd completely forgotten about, otherwise I might have used that piece of information in my project. Sure adds some substance to the possibility of a float Raider, doesn't it?   

And thanks PR19_Kit for suggesting the "normal" U.S. Navy designation for this bird, I have included it in the page next to the "real" one. Indeed, during the early 1950s, the USAF and US Navy tried to get nearer a standardized system. To that effect, a few designations were non-standard, such as the T-28B Trojan, which in all logic ought to have been the T2J-1 before the Buckeye. But the scheme didn't work, and reserved USN designations such as C-138, C-139 and the likes were simply not used. So, yes, R2T-1 would have been nice, but C-125C is not really illogical...