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Sikorsky VS-44 Flying Boat Classic Aircraft in Profile Igor I. Sikorsky's VS-44A was a large transport aircraft with a wingspan of 124 feet, an overall length of about 80 feet and a gross weight of 57,500 pounds. It was powered by four Pratt & Whitney Twin-Wasp radial engines that produced a combined 4,800 horsepower for take-off and a cruise speed of about 210 miles per hour. Her nonstop range, depending on load and the quantity of fuel, was approximately 4,000 miles, which was unmatched performance for the time. In the summer of 1940 American Export Airline (AEA) ordered three VS-44A's at a total cost of $2,100,000. These aircraft were dubbed the "Flying Aces" by AEA and named the Excalibur, Excambian and Exeter. AEA advertising boasted minimum vibration, maximum sound-proofing, individual sofas, full length beds, roomy dressing rooms, full galley for serving hot meals, snack bar service, attractive lounge and smoking room, proper heating and ventilation and more square foot area per passenger. No other contemporary aircraft had these luxuries. AEA signed a contract with the Naval Air Transport Service to operate a wartime trans-Atlantic route in January, 1942. On May 26 the Excalibur made the maiden nonstop flight from New York to Foynes, Ireland and on June 20 regular round trip service began. The Flying Aces proved to be the world's longest range airliners and set record after record. They were the only aircraft capable of flying nonstop across the North and South Atlantic at full payload in excess of 3,100 miles. This new book from Henry E. Pember is a beautifully written book which not provides much insight into the building and operating of the aircraft, but also the characters involved throughout their use. The archive photographs are evocative of the era and the narrative is highly informative. The book starts with a brief history of Igor Sikorsky and his company, takes a look at the VS-44s predecessors the VS-41 to VS-43 and the Flying Dreadnought, the XPBS-1, which was eventually modified to emerge as the VS-44. For the modeller there are some superb detailed photographs of every part of the aircraft, particularly the cockpit, seating and sleeping areas, the engines, some with some or all of their cowls removed, galley, floats and beaching gear. There are also a number of drawings showing the internal plans complete with notes telling the reader what is what. Addition photographs show the aircraft in civil and military use, along with some of the famous people and the air stewardesses who flew in them. Then there are the accidents and the history of the remaining aircraft through the various companies who owned her right up to its current rebuilding and restoration at the hands of a dedicated band of volunteers at the New England Air Museum. The book ends with a brief synopsis of the end of Sikorsky flying boat designs and the introduction to the world of Helicopters. At the back of the book there are a set of plans for the VS-44A and the XPBS-1, followed by some archive colour photographs first of the original air tickets, wartime posters, post war use and restoration. The last two pages and back cover show the different colour schemes the aircraft wore throughout her time in service. Conclusion This is certainly not my usual genre for bedtime reading, but this is such a wonderfully well written book, it was almost as if the author was talking directly to me. This narrative and the wonderful, and very interesting photographs, the plans and colour plates make this a must have for those interested in aviation history in general and/or flying boats in particular. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

I would so like an IM version of this in 1/144 or 1/72 http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/S-44.php