Vought-Sikorsky VS-44 | antilles-air-boats

Fritz Henle

Vought-Sikorsky VS-44A

Sikorsky Aircraft

Powerplant - Pratt & Whitney R-1830

N41881

"Excambian"

Manufactured 1940-1942 Mfg. No. 4403

Registered NC41881

1940-1943 American Export Airlines

1943-1946 U.S. Navy - designated JR2S-1

1946-1947 Tampico Airlines

1947-1949 Skyways International Airways

1949-1950 Seaboard Commercial Finance Corp.

1950-1950 J.L Boland

1950-1951 Harry Bomstein

1951-1951 Huestis Wells

1951-1952 Aviation Exchange Corp.

1952-1955 arrives at Baltimore Harbor Field for repairs

1956 aircraft being repaired in Lima , Peru

1957-1968 Avalon Air Transport

1968-1976 Antilles Air Boats

1976-1983 U.S. Navy - Pensacola Naval Air Museum

1983- New England Air Museum - Hartford, CT

long term loan from U.S. Navy

Hugh Wells

American Export Airlines

Sikorsky VS-44A

CAA Certification Granted

On July 14, 1943, the CAA granted the VS-44A an approved Type Certificate #752 (transport category) with the following limits:

Maximum take-off gross weight 59,534 lbs.

Airspeed limit 185 mph

Maximum landing weight 51,809 lbs.

Airspeed limit 211 mph

Fuel capacity 3,820 gals.

Maximum baggage weight 9,920 lbs.

Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp S1C3-G

Engine limits: Max except take-off: 1,050 hp/engine

Take off limits: 1,200 hp/engine (2 minutes)

It was fitting that Excambian was sold to Antilles Air Boats. Charles Blair had been the first pilot to fly the VS-44A as a test pilot on the Excalibur. At that time he was the Chief Pilot for American Export Airlines and performed duty with AEA's blessing, as Sikorsky's chief test pilot on the VS-44A. He later contracted with both the Aviation Exchange Corporation and Skyways to check out their "44" pilots. He had established many world records with the VS-44A's. It was fitting, therefore, that as owner of Antilles Air Boats, "Charlie" would provide the last operational home for the last of the "Flying Aces".

Harry F. Pember

Sikorsky VS-44 Flying Boat

FAA Records - N41881

Airworthiness

FAA Form 337 - further documentation / misc.

Registration

Ownership / Transfers / Registrations / misc.

Of all the AAB aircraft, Excambian had the most incredible history!

Sister ship Excalibur NC41880

AEA - Botwood, Newfoundland

U.S. Navy - JR2S-1

Records Established by VH-44A's flown by AEA

Excalibur / Excambian / Exeter

While in service with American Export Airlines the "Flying Aces" established notable records.

The "Flying Aces" were the longest-range commercial aircraft in service of any airline, and were the only aircraft that flew commercial schedules non-stop with a capacity payload across the North and South Atlantic on flights in excess of 3,100 miles.

1. Transatlantic Record, USA-Europe: 3,329 miles in 14 hours 17 minutes (non-stop)

2. First to fly non-stop Foynes-New York, June 22, 1942: Capt. Charles Blair pilot, Capt. Bob Hixson, co-pilot.

3. First non-stop flight New York-Lisbon: 3,383 miles in 20

hours 14 minutes, Capt. Charles Blair.

4. First to fly non-stop Baltimore-Europe: 3,380 miles in 16 hours 2 minutes.

5. Fastest westbound Atlantic Flight time, Europe-USA (with refueling stop at Botwood, Newfoundland) in 17 hours 45 minutes.

6. Fastest non-stop flight between Europe-New York in 18 hours 5 minutes.

7. First to fly non-stop Bermuda-North Africa: 3,362 miles

8. First to fly non-stop Bathurst (Africa) -Port of Spain (Trinidad): 3,384 miles

9. First to fly non-stop Bathurst-San Juan, P.R.: 3,384 miles

10. Fastest westbound crossing Foynes to LaGuardia (with refueling stop at Botwood): 17 hours 57 minutes. Capt. Edward A. Stuart, pilot

11. Fastest non-stop flight New York to Foynes: 14 hours 17 minutes: Capt. Charles Blair, pilot