16-17 апреля 1935г.: самолет Sikorsky S-42 компании "Pan American Airways System" совершил первый пробный полет из Аламедии, Калифорния, на Гавайские острова. Это перелет являлся частью трансокеанского маршрута из Соединенных Штатов на Филиппины.

NC822M - первая летающая лодка Sikorsky S-42, полученная "Pan American" и поступившая 16 августа 1934 года на маршрут Майами - Рио-де-Жанейро. Весной 1935 года модифицированная летающая лодка S-42, имевшая увеличенный запас топлива, совершила исследовательский перелет протяженностью 4828 км из Сан-Франциско в Гонолулу.

FOR TRANSATLANTIC SERVICE?: The Sikorsky S.42 four-engined flying boat recently completed for Pan-American Airways. After tests it will be put into service between the United States and South America, and subsequently may be used for transatlantic service.

PAN-AMERICAN AIRWAYS' LATEST: The Sikorsky S-42, which ts now replacing the older machines on Pan-American Airways' routes, cruises at 160 m.ph with thirty-two passengers and a crew of four.

NR823M on its beaching gear at Alameda, circa 1935.

TRANSOCEANIC CONTRAST. This photograph, recently received from Para, Brazil, shows a B.A. Eagle in company with the famous Sikorsky S.42 Brazilian Clipper. The Eagle is that in which Senor Pombo, who is one of the group, flew the South Atlantic in 16 hr. 40 min. from Bathurst. The picture is of particular interest in view of the fact that the British Aircraft Manufacturing Company hold the rights of building the S.42 in England.

The S.42 at Miami. The rails on which this platform is raised can be seen; a few moments later the platform was level with the quay and the S.42 was pulled off into the hangar by a small motor tractor.

‘PanAmerican Clipper’ preparing to depart Alameda on the inaugural flight to Honolulu.

The Sikorsky S-42-B Commercial Flying-boat (four 750 h.p. Pratt & Whitney "Hornet" engine).

The Sikorsky "Clipper," of Pan American Airways, at Bermuda, British terminus of the New York-Bermuda service, in which Imperial Airways participate.

BRAZILIAN CLIPPER TAKES OFF: Pan-American Airways' first Sikorsky S-42 leaves Biscayne Bay for Buenos Ayres. It is reported that Short Bros, are building a large trans-oceanic boat for Imperial Airways.

A photograph of the Sikorsky S.42B taken at Southampton after the crossing

Самолеты S-42 компании "Pan Am" внесли основополагающий вклад в развитие трансокеанских перелетов. Они обычно совершали полеты в конфигурации на 32 пассажира, хотя использовались варианты и на 40 пассажиров для дневных полетов и на 14 пассажиров - для ночных.
An S-42 ‘on the step’.

S-42 NR823M over the San Francisco waterfront

The Brazilian Clipper (Sikorsky S.42) off Honolulu during a trans-Pacific flight.

Sikorsky S-42 (5-6 July 1937).

A Sikorsky S-42 in service with Pan-Am

Styles from the States: The Sikorsky S-42 (four 750 h.p. Pratt and Whitney Hornets). The gross weight is 40,000 lb. and maximum speed is 190 m.p.h.

In the five years leading up to World War II, the US manufacturers produced a series of flying boats for long-distance commercial operation, demonstrating a substantial lead over the rest of the world. They included the Boeing 314, the Sikorsky S-42 (shown) and Martin's M-130 "China Clipper" which, in 1934, entered service to operate a transpacific airmail service.

AT BUENOS AIRES. - A Pan American "Clipper" off the Company's base at the New Port. On the point is the base of the Sindicato Condor, and the floating dock out in the basin. This is said to be the first in the World designed specially for Civil aeroplanes, and was built by the local branch of a German company. The R.A.F. have run a whole flying-boat squadron at Pembroke without sheds six or seven years, thanks to a floating dock which was built during the War 1914-18.

THE CHEAPEST SORT OF SEAPLANE BASE. - The floating dock of the Sindicato Condor at Buenos Aires. In the upper picture an incoming Pan American Sicorsky S42 gives an idea of the size, and below it is seen occupied by one of the Condeor Junkers Ju52 seaplanes.

Гидропланы S-42 и S.23 в порту Окленда. 1937 г.
S-42-B NC16734 and Imperial Airways C-Class ‘Centaurus’ at Auckland, December 1937.

S-42 NR823M at San Pedro, California, March 1935 during the ferry flight from Miami to Alameda.

NC16736 at Ward Cove, Ketchikan in June 1940.

THE SOUTHERNMOST JUNCTION. - The "Centaurus" of Imperial Airways (Capt. Burgess) and the "Samoan Clipper" of Pan American Airways (Capt. Mustek) in Waitimata Harbour, Auckland, New Zealand, in January, 1938. The latter was lost with all hands near Pago Pago soon after this meeting.

BALTIMORE INAUGURATION: Some of the crowd of 30,000 lining the banks of the Patapsco river to watch the recent inauguration of the new Baltimore Airport for landplanes and marine aircraft. It replaces New York as the terminus of the Bermuda route; the Sikorsky S.42b Bermuda Clipper is seen being brought to the landing stage, and in the background is the Short Empire boat Cavalier.

BALTIMORE SEAPLANE STATION. - The populace turns out to see the "Cavalier," an Empire Boat of Imperial Airways, from Bermuda and a Sikorski "Clipper" of Pan American Airways. Baltimore is the American terminus during the Winter of the Bermuda-U.S.A. airline. In the Summer Port Washington, Long Island, New York, is used.

The Sikorsky is seen from under the wing of an Empire flying boat, Courtier.

READY FOR THE CROSSING: The Boeing 314 Yankee Clipper cutting things fine while making an approach at Baltimore after flying over from San Francisco. The machine at the landing stage is the Sikorsky S.42B Bermuda Clipper, which is now being assisted on the Bermuda service by the second of the 314s, Allanite Clipper. At the time of going to press Yankee Clipper was at Biscarosse.

Two of the boats which made history last year - Caledonia and Clipper III - being hauled on to the slip­way at Hythe (left). The former was commanded by Capt. Wilcockson and the latter by Capt. Gray on all the Atlantic trips.

The Pan American Airways flying-boat Clipper III, like all the other mainliners in the fleet of this great undertaking, is equipped with airscrews of similar type, manufactured in the United States by The Hamilton Standard Propeller Co.

Crowds watching work in progress on the ‘PanAmerican Clipper’ during turnaround, Hawaii, 1935.

NR823M again being servicing, this time at Wake Island, October 12, 1935.

NR823M upon arrival at Honolulu.

ATLANTIC AIDS: The control cabin of Clipper III. In the centre can be seen the Sperry panel, automatic pilot controls and r.p.m. indicators, while on either side are identical panels mounting the essential flying instruments. Below the centre panel can be seen the new Sperry Gyro-Mag compass and the engine controls are mounted in the roof. Across the centre is the rubber band for aileron parking.

THE THIRD PILOT: The control room of Pan-American Airways' special long distance Sikorsky S.42. which is now at San Diego California, preparatory to making its first experimental trip across the Pacific. During the recent 2,504-mile test flight from Miami to the Virgin Islands and back, the Sperry Gyropilot was in control for two-thirds of the time, while Capt. E. C. Musick (left) and First Officer R. O. D. Sullivan attended to the navigation and to the experimental equipment.
Captains Musick (left) and Sullivan at the controls of NR823M, 1935.

The Sikorsky S.42. A slightly modified version has been used for transatlantic experiments.

"Clipper III"