Sikorsky S-38
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1928 · transport aircraft
The Sikorsky S-38 was a twin-engine amphibious biplane flying boat that became the preferred aircraft of Pan American Airways for pioneering Caribbean and South American routes in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Its amphibious capability allowed landings at destinations lacking land-plane infrastructure.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.27 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine biplane flying boat amphibian
- Pusher engines on strut-mounted parasol wing
- Twin boom tail structure, boat hull with retractable wheeled gear
The S-38 has an unmistakable parasol biplane configuration: a high parasol wing with twin pusher engines on struts, a boat hull below, twin tail booms extending aft to a biplane tail, and retractable wheeled undercarriage for land operations.
Specifications
- The Sikorsky S-38 has a length of 12.27 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 21.8 m (72 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 209 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 2, up to 8 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1928, the S-38 entered service with Pan American and became famous through the exploits of pilots such as Charles Lindbergh, who flew survey routes for Pan Am through Central America. Martin and Osa Johnson used an S-38 for their African wildlife documentaries. A total of 114 were built.
Variants
The S-38 was built in A, B, and C models with minor improvements; the S-38B was the most common. Small numbers served with the US Navy as the XPS-2.
Where you'll see it
Pan American Airways was the primary operator; small numbers served with US Navy and Army Air Corps. Several went to private adventurers and explorers in the late 1920s–1930s.
Related aircraft
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