Skorsky S38 replica in UK

[exlatccatsa]

Osa's Ark
A replica of Martin and Osa Johnson's 1929
S-38 Amphibious Sikorsky Aircraft has made it accross the Atlantic and will be in the UK for the next couple of days.. Inverness today and Duxford tomorrow before departing for Frankfurt. 1st of its type to cross the Atlantic.. even if it is a replica.
Its still quite a feat at 95kts over 5 1/2 hours flying time from Hofn in Iceland to Wick.
More info here
Unlimited Adventure Home

[treadigraph]

There's an aeroplane I'd like to see...

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Anyone know what time it's due at Duxford please?

Thanks

[scr1]

supposed to be leaving inv 11:00L and going down loch ness then via oban, also going to land on the river thames not sure were sorry, was in wick yesterday.

[seacue]

In the 1930s, the National Geographic Society ran (and still does I think) a lecture series in a large auditorium in Washington, DC. One of the highlights of my early youth was when the Johnsons would present their yearly lecture. Lots of aviation movies, etc. I seem to have lost their book about that expedition on which they had two planes. The S-38 and the other plane was a similar Sikorsky, but single-engined [S-39?]. It was piloted by "Woody" Quesada, who apparently was also their advance man. Quesada was detailed or on leave from the Air Corps, IIRC. Quesada was later the first head of the US Federal Aviation Administration.

From the following:
Biographies : LIEUTENANT GENERAL ELWOOD R. QUESADA
[In 1932] Lieutenant Quesada became aide to F. Trubee Davison who was assistant secretary of war for air. Lieutenant Quesada flew Davison and explorer Martin Johnson all over Africa on a mission to collect animals for the New York Museum of Natural History in the summer of 1933.

[superspotter]

A pilot friend of mine has posted some pics on his facebook page, the lucky sod managed to take a flight in it in Iceland and some nice air to air shots too.

[scr1]

Now staying in inv till tommorow dep 0630 due wx here

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Thanks scr1. Only chance I'll have is if it night stops somewhere down south so I can get along on Tuesday.

I'm truly amazed that there is so little information about what is an historic flight. A Google search reveals very little so it seems that this forum is the only source. Thanks all...

[barit1]

Another pilot who flew for the Johnsons was Charles LaJotte. I interviewed Charlie in 1969 - he recalled a flight to Ethiopia in the S-38 (or S-39?).

His impressions included natives with very big feet!

[Atcham Tower]

HD, there's a bit more on the FlyPast Historical Forum including this link, if it works!
Spot Adventures

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Many thanks AT.. I'll keep a close eye on that site.

[exlatccatsa]

picked this up from scotavnets

This was for today flightplan you can adust times for a 0630 dep tomorrow.
Due airborne at 1110, currently on r/w 05 but may opt for 30.
F/P ALL TIMES LOCAL FL:090:
GRICE 1150
TRN 1220
TUNSO 1226
BLACA 1233
MIKEL 1251
IOM 1257
KELLY 1304
CASEL 1308
PENIL 1318
WAL 1329
NANTI 1341
PEDIG 1359
DTY 1418
OLNEY 1425
HEIDI 1426
POTON 1430
DUXFORD 1443

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Thanks very much. On that PLN it should get to Duxford late afternoon = night stop. Surprised it'll be up at FL90; presumably fully IFR equipped.

[scr1]

Take off from inv 0720l
A link to some pics taken by a friend

Sikorsky S-38B at Inverness

[aviate1138]

HD said "Surprised it'll be up at FL90'

Aviate muses

Easy numbers though - 90Kts, FL90.

All it needed was an Easterly Heading! From Old Warden would be appropriate!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

The best piece is on that linked forum.... someone hopes to see it when it arrives at Duxford "next weekend".... written yesterday!! 95kts.. but that's ridiculous!

[superspotter]

Unfortunately, It didnt go to Duxford, routed direct to Norwich.

[jabberwok]

Confirm no contact here so I suspect it flew down the east coast to Norwich.

Pity..

[Postfade]

A little group of us waited at Duxford but alas 'Osa's Ark' routed to Germany today, via Norwich. There was a stiff cross wind that certainly didn't favour DX's 24/06 runway though.
It's a wonderful facility to be able to follow it's airborne route 'live' via that 'Spot Adventures' website...unfortunately a little more information was required regarding the crew's intentions!
I heard a rumour that Duxford PR was 'less than encouraging' which if true is a great pity as the place should encourage interesting aviation ventures like this Sikorsky S-38.
David Taylor.

[John Miller]

Big feature on S-38, Osa's Ark, in the March issue of PILOT magazine, UK.