I think I like this site because of the music !! ..... and I thought it was really interesting to see that Sergei Rachmaninoff was Igor I. Sikorsky's patron ...... ! The legacy of Igor Sikorsky still inspires the helicopter industry, and the Winged-S symbol still stands for the world's most advanced rotorcraft. The Russian-born scientist, engineer, pilot and entrepreneur made fixed and rotary wing aviation history with a mix of genius, determination and humanity. Sikorsky, an established Russian aviation pioneer, arrived in New York or March 30,1919 brimming with dreams and aspirations for a new life and a continued career in aviation. His passport revealed he entered America to "construct aircraft". He made several attempts to re-enter aviation in his new country without success. Airplanes and engines built for World War I were available at extremely low prices and aviation was described to him by some as a "dying industry". Soon his money was running out and he resorted to teaching Russian immigrants mathematics; later, astronomy and aviation lessons were included. He also started to lecture to various groups which brought him in contact with people who shared his enthusiasm for aviation and convinced him to start his own aeronautical enterprise. March 5,1923, saw the creation of the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation in the United States. The aviation company was dedicated to building the S-29A (Sikorsky type 29, America) and was based at fellow immigrant Victor Utgoff s farm near Roosevelt Field on Long Island, N.Y. Sikorsky Aircraft has a proud and rich history of aircraft design and construction dating to the early part of the last century, making one of America's pioneering aerospace companies. You are welcome to visit the Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives web page to learn more about the company's proud past. As one biographer summarized, Igor Sikorsky had three careers in aviation: constructing and flyingfixed-wing aircraft in Russia, fixed wing aircraft , including seaplanes in America, and helicopters, actually his first love. He was fascinated by science in general, and in many ways was a classical philosopher. It has been said that he was initially inspired by a Jules Verne novel as a very young boy He passed away peacefully in his sleep in 1972 at the age of 83 after putting in a typical day at his office at Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky Aircraft has a proud and rich history of aircraft design and construction dating to the early part of the last century, making it one of America's pioneering aerospace companies. You are welcome to visit the Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives web page to learn more about its founders proud past and that of his companies. http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/
The archives' coverage of Sikorsky's life and work prior to arrival in the US seems a little sketchy. I would have thought that there would at least have been some photographs of the Il'ya Muromets and perhaps the fairly successful S.16 single-seater, as well as his other designs. Information on them is pretty freely available. Gareth
I know under SIKORSKY PRODUCTS ... theres the S16 ! Decide on the header - open the pull-down menu - click on your selection and read its description, then click GO http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/
I take it back with respect to the S.16, but still think that the S.22/Il'ya Muromets could have had a better coverage, given its pioneering role in aviation development. However, I'm biased towards Great War aeroplanes. Gareth
