S-42

The Sikorsky S‑42, introduced in 1934, was a pioneering four‑engine flying boat that marked Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation’s first major success in long‑range commercial aviation. Designed to meet Pan American Airways’ demand for a trans‑Atlantic mail and passenger service, the S‑42 featured a sleek all‑metal hull, a high wing with retractable floats, and a crew‑protected cockpit. Powered by four Wright Cyclone radial engines delivering 1,050 horsepower each, it could cruise at 190 mph and carry up to 37 passengers over distances of 2,500 miles, a remarkable capability for its era. Advanced navigation equipment, including a gyroscopic compass and radio direction‑finding gear, enabled the aircraft to operate reliably on the Atlantic’s often‑stormy routes. The S‑42’s first Atlantic crossing in 1935 proved the feasibility of regular passenger service between North America and Europe, prompting the development of larger, more capable flying boats such as the Boeing 314 and the later Sikorsky S‑44. Although only 12 units were built before production shifted to land‑based airliners, the S‑42 demonstrated the strategic value of long‑range, all‑metal amphibians and cemented Sikorsky’s reputation as an innovator in both commercial and military aviation.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

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Design & Classification