Sikorsky S-39 Explained

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.

Operational history

Spirit of Africa

Filmmakers Martin and Osa Johnson used a giraffe-patterned S-39 Spirit of Africa, with companion zebra-striped S-38 Osa's Ark, to explore Africa extensively, making safari movies and books.^[1]

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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^{[4] [5] [6]}

Variants

S-39-A: 4-seat version

S-39-B: Improved 5-seat version of the S-39-A^[7]

S-39-C: Converted from S-39-B

C-28: One example of the S-39 acquired by the United States Army Air Corps

Surviving aircraft

• 904 – S-39-B on static display at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.^[8]
• Composite – S-39-C airworthy with at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.^{[9] [10]} 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.^{[11] [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]

External links

• Photos of the Sikorsky S-39
• Photos and story of the restored S-39 "Spirit of Igor"

Notes and References

1. https://books.google.com/books?id=E-IDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1933+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA574 "Flying Expedition To Africa To Visit Forbidden Area."
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203191803/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3284 "Sikorsky Y1C-28."
3. Book: Blazich, Frank A. Jr. . 2020 . An honorable place in American air power": Civil Air Patrol coastal patrol operations, 1942-1943 . . 109-112 . 978-1-58566-305-7 . September 21, 2021 .
4. February 1931 . The Diesel Yacht Lotosland . MotorBoating . 90–91 . 23 October 2020.
5. Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast . August 1929 . Diesel Yacht Lotosland . Pacific Marine Review . 29 . San Francisco . J.S. Hines . 23 October 2020.
6. Fall 1994 . S38 . NEAM News . Windsor Locks, Ct. . New England Air Museum . 4 . 23 October 2020 . 26 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026053557/https://www.neam.org/images/docent-portal/history/sikorsky_s-39.pdf . dead .
7. Web site: A.T.C. #375 . Golden Wings Flying Museum . 7 August 2018.
8. Web site: Sikorsky S-39B "Jungle Gym" . New England Air Museum . 21 September 2021 . 21 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210921064034/https://neam.org/shell.php?page=aircraft_collection_detail&name=sikorskys39b . dead .
9. Web site: 1930 Sikorsky S-39 . Fantasy of Flight . 17 September 2013 . 7 August 2018.
10. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N50V] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 August 2018 . 7 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180807063602/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=50V .
11. Web site: Jackson . Dick . 40 Years and 40,000 Hours . Spirit of Igor . Richard Jackson . 7 August 2018.
12. Web site: Jackson . Dick . 40 Years and 40,000 Hours - Part 2 . Spirit of Igor . Richard Jackson . 7 August 2018.
13. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N58V] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 August 2018 . 7 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180807063850/http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=58V .