Sikorsky S-38

The Sikorsky S-38 was sometimes called "The Explorer's Air Yacht". Indeed, the S-38 was Sikorsky's first widely produced flying boat which in addition to serving successfully for Pan American World Airways and the U. S. Army, also had numerous private owners who received notariety for their exploits. Some famous owners include:

• Aviator Charles Lindbergh - Surveyed South American and Pacific Ocean routes for Pan Am with Anne Morrow Lindbergh.
• Newspaper publisher Robert McCormick - Surveyed commercial air routes between North America and Europe.
• Venture capitalist J. H. Whitney - Luxury Transport
• The Flying Hutchinsons - First attempted around the world flight by a family.
• Filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson - Explored Africa extensively, making safari movies and books.
• S. C. Johnson's Herbert Johnson - Explored South America in search of and to research the carnauba wax palm, the source of the world's hardest natural wax. A replica of this aircraft exists and is flying today.

A total of 90 aircraft were built, manufactured by the Sikorsky Aircraft Company in Stratford, Connecticut. Sikorsky was acquired by United Aircraft Corporation in mid-production. The aircraft first flew in May 1928.

Specifications (S-38-A)

General Characteristics

• Crew:
• Capacity:
• Length: 40 ft 3 in (12.27 m)
• Wingspan: 71 ft 8 in (21.85 m)
• Height: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m)
• Wing area: 720 ft² (68.6 m²)
• Empty: 6,000 lb (2,727 kg)
• Loaded: 10,480 lb (4,764 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 2x S-34 -

S-35 - S-36 - S-38 - S-39 - S-40 - C-3 - C-4 - C-5 - C-6 - C-7 - C-8 - C-9

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