The Sikorsky VS-44 was a large four-engined flying boat built in the USA in the early 1940s. The VS-44 was designed primarily for the trans-Atlantic passenger market, with a capacity of 40+ passengers. Only three aircraft were produced: Excalibur, Excambian, and Exeter.
Within three months of the first flight of the new Consolidated YP3Y-1 im March 1935, the United States Navy was making plans for a new patrol bomber that would have increased per...
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The Sikorsky VS-44 was a large four-engined flying boat built in the USA in the early 1940s. The VS-44 was designed primarily for the trans-Atlantic passenger market, with a capacity of 40+ passengers. Only three aircraft were produced: Excalibur, Excambian, and Exeter.
Within three months of the first flight of the new Consolidated YP3Y-1 im March 1935, the United States Navy was making plans for a new patrol bomber that would have increased performance and weapon load capability. Prototypes were ordered from Sikorsky in June 1935 and Consolidated Aircraft in July 1936. The XPBS-1 (BuNo. 9995) made its first flight on 9 September 1937, the XPB2Y-1 on 17 December of the same year. However, the U.S. Navy did not have funds at that time to procure either aircraft. 15 months later the contract was given to Consolidated and Sikorsky sold the XPBS-1 design to civilian customers as the VS-44.
The XPBS-1 was evaluated by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1938. In 1939...
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