Page 335 - Demo

A Century of Progress %u2022 Vintage PostcardsExhibitor & Concessionaire PostcardsPal-Waukee Airport, Sikorsky Model S38Several years after fleeing the Russian Revolution, Igor Sikorsky had founded the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation on Long Island. Although known today primarily for his helicopters, in 1927, he built his first flying boat prototype, the S-34, which crashed when the engine quit. It was followed by the S-35, but his next model, the S-36, was more successful, although only five were built. One was sold to Mrs. Frances Grayson, the adventurous niece of President Woodrow Wilson. She hoped to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic (as a passenger), but after a few failed attempts, her plane was lost at sea. Sikorsky%u2019s S-38, used for sight-seeing flights at A Century of Progress, was even more successful, with Pan American purchasing 38 of the 111 that were built. Because they were particularly useful in the Caribbean, Andre Priester, Pan Am%u2019s Chief Engineer said, %u201cflying boats carried their own airports on their bottom.%u201d