VS-44 | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Flying boat |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft |
Designer | |
Primary users | American Export Airlines Tampico Airlines Avalon Air Transport Antilles Air Boats |
Number built | 3 (plus 2 XPBS-1 prototypes) |
History | |
Introduction date | 10 February 1942 |
First flight | 13 August 1937 |
Retired | 1968 |
The Sikorsky VS-44 was a large four-engined flying boat built in the United States in the early 1940s by Sikorsky Aircraft. Based on the XPBS-1 patrol bomber, the VS-44 was designed primarily for the transatlantic passenger market, with a capacity of 40+ passengers. Three units were produced: Excalibur, Excambian, and Exeter, plus two XPBS-1 prototypes.[1][2]