Sikorsky S-40

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Sikorsky S-40
Type Commercial flying boat
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft
Maiden flight 1931
Primary user Pan American
Number built 3

The Sikorsky S-40 was an American amphibious flying boat built by Sikorsky in the early 1930s for Pan American World Airways. It was the largest commercial airliner of its time. A total of three aircraft were built by the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, Connecticut. All three were retired from service during World War II. The first passenger carrying service was on the November 19, 1931 and was piloted by Charles Lindbergh from Miami, Florida to the Panama Canal Zone. The S-40 was the first of many aircraft known as Flying Clipper and Pan Am Clipper.

The S-40 was nicknamed the "Flying Forest" for its maze of support struts.

Contents

[edit] Specifications (S-40)

[edit] General characteristics

  • Crew: four
  • Capacity: 40 passengers
  • Length: 76 ft 8 in (23.37 m)
  • Wingspan: 114 ft 0 in (34.76 m)
  • Height: 23 ft 10 in (7.27 m)
  • Wing area: 1,875 ft² (174.3 m²)
  • Empty: 24,748 lb (11,249 kg)
  • Loaded: 34,000 lb (15,455 kg)
  • Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
  • Powerplant: 4x Pratt & Whitney R-1690 radial engines, 575 hp (429 kW) each

[edit] Performance

  • Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h)
  • Range: 875 miles (1,408 km)
  • Service ceiling: 13,000 ft (3,963 m)
  • Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
  • Wing loading: 18 lb/ft² (89 kg/m²)
  • Power/Mass: 0.07 hp/lb (0.11 kW/kg)

[edit] See also

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[edit] External links

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