Aircraft N41881 Data

N41881
1942 Sikorsky VS-44-A, c/n 4402
Latest photos of N41881
N41881 - A slide my late father Ray Cullen shot in August 1965 shortly before taking the Sikorsky over to Catalina Island from (I believe) Santa Monica. It was the first plane I flew on at age 11, it was a thrill! - by Ray Cullen
Ray Cullen
N41881 @ BDL - At the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport - by Terry Fletcher
Terry Fletcher
@ BDL
N41881 @ BDL - At the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport - by Terry Fletcher
Terry Fletcher
@ BDL
N41881 @ KBDL - The Ercoupe flight simulator provided an excellent platform to photograph this beast. - by Daniel L. Berek
Daniel L. Berek
@ KBDL
Airframe Info
Manufacturer Sikorsky
Model VS-44-A Search all Sikorsky VS-44-A
Year built 1942
Construction Number (C/N) 4402
Aircraft Type Fixed wing multi engine
Number of Seats 26
Number of Engines 4
Engine Type Reciprocating
Engine Manufacturer and Model Pratt & Whitney R-1830 S1C3G Twin Wasp Radial
Aircraft
Registration Number N41881
Mode S (ICAO24) Code A4F562
Certification Class Standard
Certification Issued 1968-02-02
Last Action Taken 1978-04-01
Current Status Revoked
Owner
Registration Type Corporation
Owner Antilles Air Boats Inc
Address St Croix, VI 00820
Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Region Southern
User contributed data
Cruise speed 175 mph (282 km/h) (by Daniel L. Berek on 2006-10-30 05:00:00)
Wing Span 124' (37.8 m) (by Daniel L. Berek on 2006-10-30 05:00:00)
Overall Length 76' 2" (23.21 m) (by Daniel L. Berek on 2006-10-30 05:00:00)
Thrust or HP 1,200 hp (895 kW) (by Daniel L. Berek on 2006-10-30 05:00:00)
User Comments
Daniel L. Berek, 2006-10-30 05:00:00
The sole surviving VS-44A, one of only three built, enjoyed a long career, but was abandoned in Peru. Avalon Air Transport rescued the wreck in 1957 and restored her to serve the 12-minute flight from Long Beach, CA, to Catalina Island. Ten years later, she was sold to Antilles Air Boats, but she was again grounded after a landing accident. The airline donated the rare aircraft to the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, FL, in 1976. After seven years of neglect, the old lady was barged to Connecticut, where she underwent a long restoration back to the colors of her original owner, American Export Airlines. She has taken the pride of place at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, CT, since 1998.