In 1952, Law No. 2055, of 27 May, enacted the general organisation of Military Aeronautics, creating the Undersecretariat of State for Aeronautics.
Until 1958, naval aviator pilots continued to serve in the aeronautical forces, then integrated into the Undersecretariat of State for Aeronautics. However, with the creation of the Air Force that same year, pilots and technical staff had to choose between joining the ranks of that newly created branch or returning to the Navy to continue pursuing their naval careers.
After thirty-five years of activity, Naval Aviation was extinguished as an operational means of the Navy, and became part, together with the Army's Military Aeronautics, of what would become the third branch of the Armed Forces: the Portuguese Air Force.
seaplane 'grumman g-44 "widgeon"'
Naval Aviation acquired 12 of these American-made aircraft in 1942, allocating them to various aviation centres. These small amphibious aircraft made a valuable contribution to the hydrographic and geographic missions carried out in former African territories, namely in Mozambique between 1947 and 1952, in Cape Verde between 1946 and 1947, and in Guinea between 1948 and 1952.
These aircraft also have an enormous historical importance for Naval Aviation, as they were the last type of aircraft to operate in the Portuguese Naval Aviation and were later transferred to the newly created Portuguese Air Force (1952). They were decommissioned in 1962.
Characteristics: Twin-engine monoplane for medium-range armed reconnaissance, and communications and navigation training.
Engine: (2) Ranger L-440-5 air-cooled six-cylinder inline engine, 200 hp each;
Crew: 4
Dimensions: Length: 9.47m // Wingspan: 12.19m // Height: 3.48m
Maximum Speed and Range: 245 km/h, with a range of 1480 km
Armament: None