Sikorsky S-43 – Foto

Le Sikorsky S-43 was a twin-engine amphibious aircraft manufactured in United States during the 1930s by the American firm Sikorsky Aircraft.

fonte: Sikorsky S-43 on Wikipedia

Le Sikorsky S-43 was a remarkable aircraft that combined the features of a flying boat and an amphibian. It was designed by Igor Sikorsky, a pioneer of aviation and the founder of Sikorsky Aircraft. The S-43 could land and take off from both water and land, making it versatile and adaptable for different routes and destinations. It was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1690-52 radial engines, each producing 750 horsepower. It had a maximum speed of 306 km/h and a range of 1,247 km.
The S-43 entered service in 1934 and was mainly used by Pan American Airways for flights to Cuba and within Latin America. It could carry up to 25 passengers in a spacious cabin with large windows and comfortable seats. It was also known as the “Baby Clipper” because it resembled the larger Sikorsky S-42 “Clipper” that flew across the oceans. The S-43 was also used by other airlines, such as Hawaiian Airlines, Det Norske Luftfartselskap, Panair do Brasil, and Aéromaritime. Some S-43s were also acquired by the U.S. Army Air Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the Chilean Air Force for military purposes.
Le S-43 was a successful and reliable aircraft that served for many years in various parts of the world. It was also involved in some notable events, such as setting an altitude record for amphibious aircraft in 1936, surviving the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and being owned by famous personalities like William Kissam Vanderbilt II and Howard Hughes. The last S-43 to fly was Hughes’ personal aircraft, which he used until 1970. Today, only one S-43 remains intact, a JRS-1 that is being restored by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum.