Another Bill Bosworth Masterpiece – 1/48 Sikorsky S-40 (scratchbuilt)
Whoops - it's 1/48! Still has a 32-inch wingspan
For those who don't know what the S.40 was:
Sikorsky designed the S-40 in response to a request from Juan Trippe, president of Pan American Airways, for a larger passenger carrying airplane. The S-40s could carry 38 passengers, a significant increase over the S-38's capacity of eight passengers. The aircraft featured a pantry with an electric refrigerator and stove as well as beautifully appointed smoking lounge with book-ended mahogany wood paneling. Six life rafts were carried on board. Despite its significant capacity increase, the S-40s were not the most aerodynamic aircraft due in large part to the numerous flying wires and strut braces that were used as an exterior support framework, hence the nickname "Flying Forest". Only three were built as Sikorsky was designing (during the maiden flight of the S-40) and building the more modern S-42 as a replacement aircraft.
A total of three aircraft were built by the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, Connecticut. The three aircraft in the S-40 series were:
NC80V - American Clipper NC81V - Caribbean Clipper
NC752V - Southern Clipper
In 1935 a new version, the Sikorsky S-40A, was created by upgrading the original three aircraft. Their 575 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B engines were replaced by smaller, heavily supercharged 660 hp R-1690 Hornet T2D1 engines, the landing gear was eliminated, and the maximum weight was slightly increased.
Passenger carrying service was initiated on the November 19, 1931, with a S-40 piloted by Charles Lindbergh, flying from Miami, Florida to the Panama Canal Zone with stops at Cienfuegos, Cuba; Kingston, Jamaica and Barranquilla, Colombia.
The S-40 was Pan American's first large flying boat. The American Clipper served as the flagship of Pan Am's clipper fleet and this aircraft model was the first to earn the popular designation of "Clipper" or "Pan Am Clipper". The three S-40s served without incident during their civilian lives, flying a total of over 10 million miles. They were turned over to the US Navy during World War II and were used as trainers for four-engined flight instruction. All three of the S-40s were eventually retired and scrapped starting in 1943.
The model is another of Bill Bosworth's masterpieces. Definitely a case of "We're not worthy!"
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
How in hell do you "scratch build" something like that...? I wouldn't even know where to begin. This, my friends, is the work of a true "model maker" rather than the" plastic assembler" category into which most of us fall. Amazing craftsmanship indeed.
Craig, he was a master! One of a kind, he and John Alcorn. A craftsman of the old school. You look at their work, and it just stops you in your tracks, while your mind tries to figure out what you're looking at. Disbelief and incredulity, quickly followed by stunned admiration. Great work!
IS a master - this is his most recent model, finished last week.
If I'm not mistaken, I believe he resides in NC.
Yes.
Tom, thanks for the correction. I thought about that, once I hit "send". No disrespect was intended, good news indeed.
Beautiful ... just beautiful!
Go big or go home I guess! I think this would have been impressive in 1/48, but he bumped the wow factor up a couple of notches! I like the control cables for the engines on the roof of the cabin! Would love to see it in person at a show. Now, with the S-38 and -39 replicas flying today, when will someone attempt this?
Actually, it IS impressive in 1/48 - my mistake. 🙂
Bill says it has a near 32-inch wingspan in 1/48!
So this 1/32 scale beast has a 43" wingspan!? Do you have a web link where we can see his other builds? (Or can you get him to come on board?) I'd like to see the whole process of building the masters for something like this.
Never mind about the size. I see the scale was amended in the title.
Bill doesn't join these groups (but he has lurked). If you go to my blog (click my name) you can see several other of his models that I have put up here like I did this one.
I assume all the wheels retract up out of the way for water landings...?
yes
Amazing! Beyond the work of mere mortals...
The cool thing about Bill B is he's just so inspirational.
I totally missed that this is 48th. I was thinking 32nd, at least. Or one of them museum scales, particularly given the interior detail.
Imagination, skill, dexterity & perseverance: the hallmarks of an exceptional modeller. Thanks for the inspiration & thanks for posting.