Excambian | |
Role | Flying boat |
---|---|
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
Designer | Igor Sikorsky |
First flight | 13 August 1937 |
Introduction | 10 February 1942 |
Retired | 1968 |
Primary users | American Export Airlines Tampico Airlines Avalon Air TransportAntilles Air Boats |
Number built | 3 (plus 2 XPBS-1 prototypes) |
In the early 1930s, the primary mode of long-distance air travel over oceans was in flying boats, due to the ease of constructing docking facilities on shore without having to construct runways, and the possibility of malfunction forcing a sea landing. One flying boat designer was Russian immigrant Igor Sikorsky who had founded Sikorsky Aero Engineering Company when he came to the US in 1919. In 1930, his company became a subsidiary of United Aircraft.
In March 1935, the United States Navy was making plans for a new patrol bomber that would have increased performance and weapon load capability from their newly procured Consolidated YP3Y-1. Prototypes were ordered from Sikorsky in June 1935 and Consolidated Aircraft in July 1936. Sikorsky's entry, the XPBS-1 (Bureau Number 9995), made its first flight on 9 September 1937, the Consolidated XPB2Y-1 on 17 December of the same year.
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Erickson gives each of its S-64s an individual name, the best-known being "Elvis", used in fighting fires in Australia alongside "The Incredible Hulk" and "Isabelle". Other operators, such as Siller Brothers, have followed with their Sikorsky S-64E, Andy's Pride. The Erickson S-64E nicknamed "Olga" was used to lift the top section of the CN Tower into place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[
The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion (Sikorsky S-95) is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter
he Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion (Sikorsky S-95) is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter