Sikorsky S-38 Flying Yacht

[Swampfox]

Hi everyone, I've been busy building the FG S-38 Flying Yacht..... a bit of a complicated model with all those struts.

As some may recall, I built the smaller S-39 for the FG Modeling Madness contest last year which was painted in a giraffe motif. This S-38 is painted in zebra motif.

I'd like to share a little history of this a/c along with the pictures.

The S-38 was developed from the Sikorsky S-34 and S-36. The S-38 first flew on May 25, 1928. The United States Navy ordered two aircraft (designated XPS-2) and Pan American Airways were an early customer.

A total of 101 aircraft were built, manufactured originally by the Sikorsky Manufacturing Corporation of Long Island, New York, and by the Sikorsky Aviation Corporation in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The Sikorsky S-38 was a larger, twin-engine version of the S-39 light, single engine amphibious aircraft, built in the USA by Sikorsky Aircraft during the early 1930s.

Film makers 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.

Click to enlarge
This photo shows both their S-38 and S-39 parked somewhere in Africa.

The S-38 card model I've just finished is based on the S-38, Osa's Ark, with some changes back to the original aircraft flown in Africa in the 1930's.

I've decided, at this time not to do a build thread as I have done 2 rather long ones in the last year along with a color mixing tutorial and am just plain burned out at this point.

Some links you might want to check out on the S-38 can be found here:
Sikorsky S-38B Some excellent photos

Unlimited Adventure Home Info on a world tour in the only flying S-38 in the world. This site has lots of info on lots of pages. Take time to check it out.

The Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum More about the exploits of the Johnson's

Classic Aero This site offers scale plans at several sizes for building the ultimate S-38 and S-39. In my dreams

Enjoy the photos (see next post) of the completed model and as always, comments welcome.

Swampfox

[Swampfox]

Here are some pictures of my S-38 build.











It took me about 7 weeks working about 2 hrs/day to finish it.

[mchale]

Awesome job swampfox

[Don Boose]

Superb!

You are building a stable of Sikorskies.

Don

[Swampfox]

Here are the last 3. If anyone is interested in any more detailed picts of the model, please ask. I took many more picts, I just don't want to get carried away posting them.


This is my version of a trip to the African open plains.


And this shows both the S-39(close) and the S-38(farther) joining up to head to the next adventure.


My tribute page to the S-38.

Thanks for looking,
Swampfox

[Art Deco]

Fascinating subject and gorgeous work! Bravo!

[Tim Crowe]

Very nice - Harks back to a golden age of flying.

Tim

[Swampfox]

Thanks for the comments, I've always wanted a set of models of these 2 a/c and I until recently they didn't exist in plastic. I'm glad I waited to build mine out of paper.

Those struts are real killers though. I doubt I'll ever tackle them again.

Here are are a couple of picts showing both airplanes from a top view.






I'd like to extend a special thanks to Chip Fyn of FiddlersGreen, and his designers, for making these available..

Thanks for looking,
Swampfox

[Leif Ohlsson]

I love your dioramas. Leif

[Leif Ohlsson]

... and I would actually love to see some more photos of them. They are an inspiration. - Leif