One of R. Conflenti’s final designs for Chantiers Aeromaritimes de la Seine (CAMS), before his return to Italy, was the CAMS 38. This aircraft was specifically built to participate in the prestigious 1923 Schneider Cup competition.
The CAMS 38 was an innovative single-seat flying boat featuring a concave planing hull. It was designed as a single-bay biplane with wings of equal span and a slight dihedral V on the lower wing.
Its Hispano-Suiza 8Fd Special engine was housed under the central section of the upper wing, driving a two-bladed pusher propeller. The cooling system, similar to the CAMS 36bis, used two Lamblin radiators. Notably, the pilot’s cockpit was positioned forward of the lower wing’s leading edge, unlike previous CAMS models.
Schneider Cup Participation
Maurice Hurel, the company’s chief pilot and Conflenti’s assistant, piloted the CAMS 38 (F-ESFD) in the competition. He completed the first lap despite the flying boat sustaining serious damage from a wave during takeoff.
However, engine vibration and a loss of power forced him to withdraw from the race. Following this setback, the French no longer participated in the Schneider Trophy races.
Operational Life and Final Fate
Between 1923 and 1924, the CAMS 38 was used for flight testing at the test base in Saint-Raphaël, in southern France. It was subsequently scrapped.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | CAMS 38 |
| Wingspan, m | 8.60 |
| Length, m | 8.32 |
| Height, m | 2.79 |
| Wing area, m2 | 18.80 |
| Empty weight | 940 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1265 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Hispano-Suiza 8Fd |
| Power, hp | 1 x 360 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 295 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 270 |
| Service ceiling, m | 6000 |
| Crew, crew members | 1 |
Image gallery of the CAMS 38
