The Sikorsky S-39 is an American light
amphibious aircraft produced by
Sikorsky Aircraft during the early 1930s. The S-39 was a smaller, single-engine version of the
S-38.[1]
Operational history
Spirit of Africa
Filmmakers
Martin and Osa Johnson used a giraffe-patterned S-39 Spirit of Africa, with companion zebra-striped
S-38Osa's Ark, to explore Africa extensively, making
safarimovies and books.[2]
Military usage
One example of the S-39 was acquired by the
United States Army Air Corps in 1932, given the designation Y1C-28. It was evaluated for use in coastal patrol and light transport roles; in 1934 it was redesignated C-28 and assigned as a liaison aircraft to the
United States Military Academy.[3]
At least one S-39 saw service with the
Civil Air Patrol Coastal Patrol from 1942 to 1943. This was part of a fleet of civilian aircraft flown by volunteers along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, searching for both German submarines and for allied ships in distress. Seaplanes such as the S-39 were sometimes used for search and rescue if another aircraft crashed or went missing.[4] A surviving CAP S-39, previously based at
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, is currently on display at the New England Air Museum.
Yacht
Edward A. Deeds had the yacht
Lotosland designed to incorporate aircraft capability. After loss of the planned aircraft on first loading Deeds ordered an S-39-A replacement the next day. The aircraft was intended to allow Deeds to quickly travel from his yacht to business and events ashore.[5][6][7]
Composite – S-39-C airworthy with at
Fantasy of Flight in
Polk City, Florida.[10][11] It was recovered from Alaska in 1965 and incorporated parts of five S-39s. It was restored by Dick Jackson and first flew in 2003.[9][12]
920 – S-39-C under restoration with Frederick W. Patterson III of
American Canyon, California. This is the last S-39 produced and was originally owned by Shell Eastern, the original name of the Shell Oil Company.[13][failed verification]
Specifications (S-39A)
Data from Aerofiles : Sikorsky,[14] American flying boats and amphibious aircraft : an illustrated history[15]
General characteristics
Crew: 1 or 2
Capacity: 4 or 5 pax / 1,145–1,300 lb (519–590 kg) payload
^"1930 Sikorsky S-39". Fantasy of Flight. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
^"FAA REGISTRY [N50V]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from
the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
^"FAA REGISTRY [N58V]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from
the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
^Johnson, E.R. (2009). American flying boats and amphibious aircraft: an illustrated history. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 188–189.
ISBN978-0-7864-3974-4.