"The Aviator" flying yacht

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Okay, I just saw “The Aviator” this weekend. Of course, there is some good inspiration material in the film for modelling subjects. Some would be quite obvious (such as the Hercules {Spruce Goose.}) But two were of particular interest to me.

One is the aircraft Hughes set a speed record in, as represented in the film. A slick, natural-metal finish, monoplane. The wings were broad, and the fuselage appeared very long. Cusious if that had become an actual type of aircraft, or simply remained as a prototype. And, would there be a model of it? On a note from the film, I’m not sure if I saw correctly, but it appeared that during the closeups of the cockpit in flight, the canopy was open, but in long-shots, it was closed. :-p – Ah, just found in google, I believe this was the H-1 racer.

The second subject, and the one I’m most interested in, was the flying boat he had. It looked almost like a yacht with a wing. Though my modelling interest don’t often go into aircraft, and especially civilian types, I’ve always been taken by flying boats. And this one was beautiful. I feel it would be best represented in 1/32 or 1/24 scale, so interior detail could be done well. Does anyone have any idea as to the model of aircraft this was, it’s name, and what resources for information on it are available? And, is there a model kit available for it?

Thanks for any info.

Cor

2

that flying boat is a sikorsky. I’m not sure about the type number, I think it was a S-28.

I don’t know if there’s a model kit for it.

3

Hughs had a few Sikorsky flying boats. I have not seen the movie myself yet but one of his was an S-38 which I believe he wrecked and sank in Lake Meade (?) and another he owned was an S-43. Czech Models Resin did a 1/72 S-38 and Sword did a 1/72 S-43. Toms Model Works did a vac 1/48 S-38. Both of the aforementioned S-38 kits are rare as hens teeth. The S-43 kit is readily availible at most on-line hobby shops. Both of the 1/72 scale models are featured on my website.

4

Thanks for the replies. I did some research through Google last night, and yeah, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a Sikorsky. But, still not sure what model number. Here it is, only a few days after I watched the movie, and I can’t remember now if it was a biplane or monoplane. I’m pretty sure it was a mono. I know it’s not the 43, that’s too big. According to a few of the references, he bought that as a test plane for flight characteristics for the Hercules. Further, I’m pretty sure it’s not the 38, as it just doesn’t look uite right, and it is a biplane. The 39 looks more like it, except it is a single engine, and I do remember clearly that his yacht had 2 engines.

What I do remember is that the top wing was not sitting on the fuselage, but rather was sitting some distance above the cabin by way of struts. It was two engines, hanging from the wings, just to either side of the fuselage. They may have actually been situated slighty above the fuselage instead of right to the sides. Memory of the film is already fading.

I cannot remember the tail section too well. The 38 is a twin boom, I believe coming off from the top wing. It’s kind of like the fuselage/cabin is hanging from the plane - which I believe was true of the plane in the movie. Really, it was like an enclosed boat, attached under a wing/tail/engine system.

The movie is alright. Really, it’s pretty decent. Not too much for scenes with planes (in fact, there was mention of a B-25 in the credits, but we don’t remember seeing it.) It’s more about the man. But, still, there are some good views, especially of the H-1 Racer.

I’ll do some more research, now that I have a better idea of the make of the plane. There is an article on a Golfing website, that talks about a time that he landed at some country club, I think the 8th hole it said, where Kate Hepburn was golfing with her instructor. A similar scene in the movie, only she was in the plane with Hughes, and it was a golf course at his estate that they landed on. I believe the article mentioned Sikorsky, but not a specific model.

I can’t wait until the movie is on DVD, for the bonus material that will likely be included, as well as another opportunity to see some of the planes - to study the details at my leisure.

Cor

5

It is a Sikorsky S38, and technically it’s a sesquiplane because the lower wing is much smaller than the upper…

6

Noix made an H-1 in 1/48th. It is out of production. Combat Models made an H-1 in 32nd, I don’t know if they are still around. It is a pretty airplane. A replica was built and flown for about a year, until it crashed in a fatal accident. A Google search for Hughes H-1 and Wright Tool will probably get you to the web site. They have some great pics there.
Chris…

7

Thanks, again. I was leaning towards the 38. Aerofiles.com has some good tech info, and pics. (http://www.aerofiles.com/_sik.html) I would think it was one of the later model S-38. I could have sworn that the undercarriage retracted into the fuselage in the movie, where it looks like in these photos, the wheels just retract up under the demi-wing.

Tailspinturtle - Have you seen the movie? Do remember the details of the plane? I wish I did. But, I don’t think I would want to pay to see the movie again. Sad that matinee prices are higher than general admission was a little more than 15 years ago. Seems the the movie industry’s answer to declining attendance is to raise prices.

Anyhow, thanks for all the info. I’ve found sources for some models. One website had the H-1 for $112 US. I think it’s a custom mold. Also looked like the fuselage was shorter from the wings to the cowling than in the movie.

Also, the company that made the RC models used in the movie - same company that makes a couple of the UAVs that the military uses, plaus it looked like they had something to do with the MLRS. I just found it interesting.

8

I saw the movie but don’t remember any detail about the S-38 other than admiring the air-to-air work and knowing that it was as exact a replica of an S-38B as money could buy. This particular aircraft was built by Born Again Restorations in Owatonna, MN for SC Johnson. Sam Johnson used it to reenact the flight by his father, H.F.Johnson Jr, from Racine Wisconsin to Fortaleza, Brazil in 1935 to study the Carnuba Palm.

The replica of the H-1 was also supposed to appear in the movie but it was lost in a crash in August 2003. It was also a gorgeous reproduction. I haven’t figured out how the canopy worked - I’ve read that it was in two halves that slid down into each side of the fuselage but that doesn’t seem possible because of the curve. As noted above, there is a continuity problem with the canopy in the movie.

9

It was a shame to lose that H-1 racer replica in '03. If I’m not mistaken the owner/builder was also lost. I saw pictures, and have been permanently drooling ever since!! Something about that long sleek body, nice sharp curves, beautiful metal skin…ummm what were we talking about again?! [:P][;)]

10

Yeah, I just came across a website the states that it was an S-38 amphibian (mentions the scene where he lands at a beach where Kate Hepburn is on a location shoot.)

Also, Swannysmodels.com - he’s doing a conversion of the SC Johnson aircraft.

The interior of the plane in “The Aviator” was a bit austere. Beautifully, panelled and such, just not much accruements. I think, that personally, I would want something somewhere between the SC Johnson plane, and the one as dipicted in the movie. The SCJ plane is more like a chauffered limo - the cockpit is divided from the rest of the cabin. I like the idea of it being a personally flown aircraft, with table and seating in the back (maybe even a bunk - like on a yacht.)

I think it’s kind of cool that this topic is getting some play.

11

I saw “The Aviator” recently and was also captivated by the amphibian Hughes flew.
I contacted the Evergreen Flight Museum and they informed me that it was a Sikorsky S-38. After further research I found that there were A, B, and C versions. Each with bigger engines. I am glad to see that others were interested in this flying yacht. I would like to find a good quality wooden scale model to build. Anyone have suggestions?

12

For wooden model kits of the Sikorsky S-38 ‘flying yacht’ this is where to go: http://www.classicaero.com/main.php

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Interesting references you all are floating around… following this post closely. [;)]

Thanks,
Frank [:)]

14

For a good look at the Hughes Race replica, go here:
http://www.wrightools.com/hughes/

For some comments on the canopy arrangement:
“Re: H-1 Racer canopy
Comments
The windshield and canopy are fairly unique. The canopy is made up of two windows that slide down into the fuselage on each side. The windshield can be cranked forward 12” so that the seat can move up and forward. This allowed Howard to see over the wing during take off and landing. Since the seat moved up and forward, Howard was still able to reach the rudder pedals." (this from http://www.wrightools.com/h1talk/_disc3/0000000e.htm)

Phil Schenfeld - just throwing a little AvGas on the bonfire of the desires

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Cor - I have some pics of the H-1 replica plane that I will post here as soon as I set up my photobucket account. I took them when it appeared at an air show in Eugene a couple of years ago.

Tom Y. [8-]