3/05/1923: Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation Is Founded

DALLAS — Today, in 1923, the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation was founded by the Kyiev-born Ukrainian aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky following his move to the United States in 1919.

After receiving financial backing from several Russian expatriate supporters, the company was able to rent hangar space at Roosevelt Field in New York.

Prototype Plane

Sikorsky began building his first aircraft, the Sikorsky S-29-A, a twin-engine sesquiplane airliner. The type was first flown in 1924. It was the first aircraft Sikorsky designed and built after coming to the United States, hence the special "-A" suffix signifying "America."

The S-29-A was one of the first aircraft to use an airstair door on the starboard side of the fuselage. Sikorsky made further modifications, and the type went on to tour America before being used and later destroyed in a film stunt by Howard Hughes.

The Clipper

However, constructing the "Clipper" long-range amphibious flying boats for Pan American (PA) established the company. The most successful was the S-38, also utilized by the US military.

After the success of the S-38, the company was reorganized as the Sikorsky Aviation Corporation with a capital injection of US$5m, allowing the purchase of land and the building of a modern aircraft factory in Stratford, Massachusetts, and led by businessman Arnold Dickinson.

Helicopter Herald

Sikorsky revisited his previous studies on vertical flight machines as land planes replaced amphibious airliners. In 1939, work began on the first model, the VS-300, which first flew on September 14, 1939. He later refined the model for the US Army in January 1941. Dubbed the XR-4, the type set an endurance record hovering for one hour and 30 minutes.

Sikorsky passed away on October 26, 1972. By this point, the helicopter had become well-established in military and civilian operations. Various well-known models have been produced, including the experimental Sikorsky S-72 and the US Presidential helicopter 'Marine One.'

Lockheed Martin purchased the company in July 2015 for US$9 billion.

Featured image is from an Album belonging to Harry White, 1919-1947, documenting his career as a Naval Aviator.

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