Of conventional biplane configuration and construction, the aircraft was designed so that its pontoons could be speedily detached and replaced with wheeled undercarriage for shore operations.

Fifty of the original design (later referred to as the 39A) were produced, featuring twin floats and powered by a Hall-Scott A-7 engine.

A redesign followed, increasing the wingspan to create more lift for water take-offs.

On October 26, 1922 Godfrey DeCourcelles Chevalier landed a 39B on a moving ship, USS Langley, the first time this had been achieved on an American aircraft carrier.

General characteristics Performance Media related to Aeromarine 39 at Wikimedia Commons