The Sikorsky S-38 was an American twin-engined 8-seat amphibious aircraft. It was often referred to as an “Air Yacht”, it was stylish and luxurious and had wheels making it a true amphibian seaplane.
Developing nation: United States.
Manufacturer/designer: Sikorsky.
Production Lines: .
Type aircraft: Amphibious aircraft.
First flight: 25 May 1928.
First delivery: October 1928.
Produced: 101
This Sikorsky S-38B replica of the Filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson zebra-striped S-38 Osa’s Ark. Martin Johnson and his wife Osa made the Sikorsky S-38 famous during his exploration of the African Continent.
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Capacity: 8 passengers
- Length: 12.27 m (40 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 21.85 m (71 ft 8 in)
- Height: 4.22 m (13 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 68.6 m² (720 ft²)
- Empty weight: 2,727 kg (6,000 lb)
- Loaded weight: 4,764 kg (10,480 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engines, 400 hp (298 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 192 km/h (104 knots, 120 mph)
- Range: 1,200 km (648 nm, 750 miles)
- Service ceiling: 4,878 m (16,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: 229 m/min (750 ft/min)
- Wing loading: 69 kg/m² (14.5 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 0.13 kW/kg (0.08 hp/lb)
All pictures courtesy of Zijde Aviation Photo and Publishing, Rob Vogelaar
