NC16736 c/n 4209 "Pan American Clipper III" beached next to a Short Empire flying boat at Southampton after a trans-Atlantic survey flight 7.37. Note the forward-sloping cabin pitot mast, a new feature the D/F loop and the prominent skin stiffeners.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Empire / S.23 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

Inspection platforms are being used to examine the tail surfaces of NC15735 c/n 4205 'Brazilian Clipper' docked at its home base at Florida. It was used on South American and Caribbean routes and was one of the four S-42 survivors which served through the war years to be scrapped in 1946.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

S-42 prototype NC422M about to become airborne on its early trials, the 3-blade Hamilton variable-pitch propellers each absorbing 700 take-off hp at 2,150 rpm from the P&W S5D1G 9-cyl radial engines. On its first voyage to South America NC422M was christened the 'Brazilian Clipper'.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

The second S-42, NC832M c/n 4201 taking off from San Francisco Bay with its second name 'Pan American Clipper' on the nose for its first cross-Pacific flight. The captain was Edward C Musick who was lost with S-42B NC16734 c/n 4207 'Samoan Clipper' and its crew when it disappeared without trace on a later survey flight from Paga Pago 11.1.38.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

The S-42 marked Sikorsky's breakaway from amphibians with tail booms, being a pure flying boat with twin fin tail unit, but still with a braced wing. The first example, NC822M c/n 4200X, is seen dwarfing the figure of Igor Sikorsky standing in front.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

S-42B NC16735 c/n 4208 'Bermuda Clipper' shows its longer cowlings with cooling gills (cooling flaps in American terminology) and the wing flaps which occupy all of the trailing edge between the tapered ailerons. It is seen moored at Bermuda with two uniformed crew on the wing checking fuel and oil and making a general inspection.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

NC16736 lies at anchor.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

S-42 A NC15373 c/n 4203 'Jamaica Clipper' seen moored at Jamaica 3.37. C/n 4203 was one of the four S-42 to survive the war and be scrapped in 1946. the others being NC882M c/n 4200X, NC15374 c/n 4204 and NC15375 c/n 4205. Jamaica's Kingston anchorage has a calm sea in spite of the 25 knot wind indicated by the windsock.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-42 Clipper - СШАUSA - 1934

Taxying up the slipway is NC784Y c/n 1105 of PAA. Originally an S-41B, it was modified to an S-41C 12-seater with fuel reduced from 330 to 264 US gallons and range reduced from 750 to 600 miles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-41 - СШАUSA - 1930

The S-41 amphibian was a slightly larger (11 passenger) development of the S-38 with two 575 hp P&W Hornet B engines and a wing span of 75 ft 9 in. Parked on chocks is the prototype NC41V.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-41 - СШАUSA - 1930

Naval version of the S-41 was the RS-1, the first of which A8842, shows the hull and tail booms longer than the S-38 (length increased by 5 ft to 45 ft 2 in.) and longer under-fins and rudders.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-41 - СШАUSA - 1930

RS-1 parked on the slipway, with chocks behind the wheels to stop it rolling back, shows the fully cowled engines and two podded landing lights under the wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-41 - СШАUSA - 1930

Looking very similar to the S-38 sesquiplane, in fact the S-41 had no lower wing but was a monoplane with a sesquiplane wing support structure.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sikorsky S-41 - СШАUSA - 1930