Our readers know that we are very keen on "intermodal" vehicles, especially when they use air to travel and water to rest. 

Unfortunately, the big era of "fling clippers" crossing the oceans is over. However, we do watch closely each and every world event that includes even a shade of a fling boat or a floatplane. 

So, this year brings two good news items: the Dornier Seastar and the Twin Otter 400. The Dornier Seastar, a fling boat resembling the famous Dornier Wal from the interwar period, went into production again 33 years after the first flight of its original prototype. 

The Twin Otter 400, re-birthed in 2008 after a 20-year break in production, came back in 100 units. We are very happy that the new-generation Twin Otter is equipped with flats, although only 18 planes were produced in our beloved version.

Photo: Viking/Rob Mcintyre