Title:    Igor Sikorsky: Aviation Pioneer and Engineering Entrepreneur

Abstract: Russian-born Igor Sikorsky began his aviation career in 1909 by
  attempting to build a helicopter.  While unsuccessful in this, Sikorsky is
  credited with making the first successful 4-engine airplane.  Fleeing the
  USSR in 1917, he arrived in the US penniless.  By 1923, he had founded
  Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corp.  He achieved his new goal - to construct a
  twin-engine, all-metal, 14-passenger plane.  The S-29A, which made its maiden
  flight in 1924, was later bought by pilot Roscoe Turner, who sold it to
  Howard Hughes.  Sikorsky followed this venture with a contract for new wings
  for war-surplus Curtis Jennys.  Next came the S-35, which crashed on takeoff,
  leaving Sikorsky with a large debt and a problematic reputation.  Sikorsky
  rebounded, becoming a leading designer and builder of seagoing aircraft.  One
  of his most successful aircraft was the twin-engine S-38 amphibian, 114 of
  which were built and used by 10 airlines to pioneer commercial air travel in
  the Western Hemisphere.  Diagrams.

Authors:  Siuru, Bill
Journal:  Mechanical Engineering  Vol: 112  Iss: 8  Date: Aug 1990  pp: 60-63
          Jrnl Code: MEG  ISSN: 0025-6501
Company:  Sikorsky Aircraft 

• see ALSO: COLONEL ROSCOE TURNER KNIGHT-ERRANT OF THE AIR
• see ALSO: THE AVIATION CAREERS OF IGOR SIKORSKY