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]

S-39
Sikorsky S-39 of the Civil Air Patrol, 1942
General information
TypeFlying boat
National originUnited States
ManufacturerSikorsky Aircraft
Number built21
History
First flight24 December 1929; 94 years ago (1929-12-24)

Operational history

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Spirit of Africa

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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.[2]

Military usage

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The C-28

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

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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]

Variants

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S-39-A
4-seat version[8]
S-39-B
Improved 5-seat version of the S-39-A[8]
S-39-C
Converted from S-39-B[9]
C-28
One example of the S-39 acquired by the United States Army Air Corps

Surviving aircraft

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Sikorsky S-39-B

Specifications (S-39A)

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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
  • Length: 31 ft 11 in (9.73 m)
  • Wingspan: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m)
  • Wing area: 320 sq ft (30 m2)
  • Airfoil: Sikorsky GS-1 [16]
  • Empty weight: 2,678 lb (1,215 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,000 lb (1,814 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 300 hp (220 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 97 mph (156 km/h, 84 kn)
  • Stall speed: 54 mph (87 km/h, 47 kn)
  • Range: 375 mi (604 km, 326 nmi)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Sikorsky S-39B "Jungle Gym"". New England Air Museum. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Flying Expedition To Africa To Visit Forbidden Area." Popular Mechanics, April 1933.
  3. ^ "Sikorsky Y1C-28." National Museum of the United States Air Force, June 24, 2009. Retrieved: July 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Blazich, Frank A. Jr. (2020). An honorable place in American air power": Civil Air Patrol coastal patrol operations, 1942-1943 (PDF). Air University Press. p. 109-112. ISBN 978-1-58566-305-7. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "The Diesel Yacht Lotosland". MotorBoating. February 1931. pp. 90–91. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  6. ^ Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast (August 1929). "Diesel Yacht Lotosland". Pacific Marine Review. San Francisco: J.S. Hines: 29. Retrieved 23 October 2020.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "S38" (PDF). NEAM News. Windsor Locks, Ct.: New England Air Museum. Fall 1994. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b "A.T.C. #375" (PDF). Golden Wings Flying Museum. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  9. ^ a b Jackson, Dick. "40 Years and 40,000 Hours". Spirit of Igor. Richard Jackson. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  10. ^ "1930 Sikorsky S-39". Fantasy of Flight. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  11. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N50V]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  12. ^ Jackson, Dick. "40 Years and 40,000 Hours - Part 2". Spirit of Igor. Richard Jackson. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  13. ^ "FAA REGISTRY [N58V]". Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  14. ^ Eckland, K.O. "american airplanes: Sikorsky". aerofiles.com. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  15. ^ Johnson, E.R. (2009). American flying boats and amphibious aircraft: an illustrated history. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co. pp. 188–189. ISBN 978-0-7864-3974-4.
  16. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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