How much does a used Republic Aviation RC-3 Seabee cost?

Name: Republic Aviation RC-3 Seabee
Brand: Republic Aviation

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Republic AviationCertified · Fixed-wing · United States

RC-3 Seabee

Seats: 4 4
Power: 215 hp160 kW
Cruise: 90 kt166 km/h
US register: 123 aircraft123 aircraft

About the RC-3 Seabee

The Republic RC-3 Seabee is an American fixed-wing amphibious sports aircraft featuring an all-metal layout with a single piston engine. It accommodates four people, making it suitable for pilots and recreational flyers, as well as roles involving coastal or wilderness operations.

The design originates from an earlier prototype created by Percival Spencer, whose rights were acquired by Republic Aircraft Corporation. Following its initial flight, the type attracted substantial civilian interest. Military interest also emerged for air-sea rescue use, though those orders were later canceled. The aircraft found widespread utility as a bush plane and air ambulance across various regions with extensive coastlines and lakes, and many examples remain active and registered today.

Engines fitted

114 aircraft

Engine	Power	Aircraft
Franklin 6A8	215 hp	91
Lycoming GO-480	295 hp	13
Lycoming GSO-480	340 hp	6
Lycoming TIO-540	310 hp	2
Gm LS3	430 hp	1
Lycoming IO-540	300 hp	1

This page covers the Republic Aviation RC-3X: the same aircraft under other designations.

Specifications

Franklin 6AS-215-BSF

Dimensions

Length: 27 ft 11 in 8.50 m8.50 m 27 ft 11 in
Wingspan: 37 ft 8 in 11.47 m11.47 m 37 ft 8 in
Wing area: 196 sq ft 18.2 m²18.2 m² 196 sq ft

Weights

Empty weight: 1,950 lb 884 kg884 kg 1,950 lb
Max take-off weight: 3,000 lb 1,361 kg1,361 kg 3,000 lb

Performance

Cruise speed: 90 kt 166 km/h166 km/h 90 kt
Max speed: 104 kt 193 km/h193 km/h 104 kt
Stall speed: N/A
Range: 487 nm 901 km901 km 487 nm
Service ceiling: 12,000 ft 3,658 m3,658 m 12,000 ft
Rate of climb: 700 ft/min 3.6 m/s3.6 m/s 700 ft/min

Powerplant

Engine: Franklin 6AS-215-BSF
Engine power: 215 hp 160 kW160 kW 215 hp

Capacity

Seats: 4

ICAO type designator: RC3
Manufacturer: Republic Aviation
Country: United States
First flight: 1944
Number built: 1,060
On the US register: 123
Registered in: United Kingdom, Australia, United States, Canada

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RC-3 Seabee prices

Asking prices of those for sale now, US dollars

Asking prices for the 3 Republic Aviation RC-3 Seabee aircraft for sale with a price run from $90,000 to $235,000, with a median of $235,000.

{# the label links to these aircraft for sale, built in that span. On the label and not the count: the bands count every aircraft on the market (on_market) while the grid shows only those with a photo (live), so the count is not a promise of how many cards appear. A band cached before year_min existed renders as plain text rather than a link to an unfiltered list. #}