Hawaii Aviation

Inter-Island Airways of Hawaii, which later became Hawaiian Airlines in 1941, was the first airline to operate the Sikorsky S-43. The company used four of these amphibious aircraft to transport Pan Am Clipper passengers and local travelers between Honolulu and various destinations across the Hawaiian Islands.

The Sikorsky S-43 was designed with well-established flying boat features, including a high-wing configuration, a boat-like hull, and a deep fuselage. The high-wing placement kept the twin air-cooled radial piston engines elevated above the waterline, protecting them from exposure to salty sea spray. The hull was essential for water landings and take-offs, with outboard pontoons ensuring stability in rough waters.

A defining characteristic of the S-43 was its true amphibious capability, its retractable wheeled landing gear allowed it to operate from both water and traditional runways. With a crew of two, the aircraft could carry up to 25 passengers in a comfortable cabin. It featured a conventional tail design with a single vertical fin and low-set horizontal stabilizers.

Reference

1. Military Factory. (June 15, 2016) Sikorsky S-43 (Baby Clipper). Military Factory. https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.php?aircraft_id=267
2. Riera, Juan L. (n.d) The Sikorsky S-43 “Baby Clipper”. 02-Riera-Sikorsky-S43
3. Pima Air & Space Musem. (n.d) Sikorsky S-43 (JRS-1). Pima Air & Space Musem. https://pimaair.org/museum-aircraft/sikorsky-s-43/