AERONAUTICS: Biggest Amphibians

In Bridgeport, Conn, last week Sikorsky Aviation Corp. revealed to newsmen the nearly completed hulls of two 40-passenger amphibians being built for Central and South American routes of Pan American Airways, Inc. The planes will be the largest amphibians in the world, the only larger heavier-than-air craft being the Dornier DO-X and the Junkers G-38. Powered by four 575 h.p. Hornet engines, the 8-40 is designed to fly nonstop 500 mi. with 40 passengers, 1,000 mi. with 20. In general conformation the 8-40 will resemble the 10-passenger Sikorsky amphibian now in common use. The wingspread, however, will be 114 ft.; the loaded weight, 30,000 lb.; and the 58-ft. hull will have the cabin facilities of a commodious cruiser.