Pan Am and the flying machines

 In 1932, passengers were seen boarding the newly introduced Pan Am Sikorsky S-40, a groundbreaking aircraft that marked a significant milestone in the history of aviation. The Sikorsky S-40, known for its large size and advanced design, was a symbol of Pan American World Airways' ambition to revolutionize air travel. With a capacity to carry passengers and cargo over long distances, this flying boat was designed to offer comfortable and efficient service on transoceanic routes, particularly across the Caribbean and South America. The plane's debut was a major step in making international air travel more accessible to the public.

The Sikorsky S-40 was one of the first commercial flying boats to be used by Pan Am, and its introduction helped establish the airline as a major player in the global aviation industry. Designed by the renowned aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky, the aircraft featured a spacious cabin and was capable of landing on both water and land, making it highly versatile for the routes Pan Am had in mind. The airplane's impressive wingspan and robust engines allowed it to travel long distances, and it quickly became a favorite for international travelers looking for an adventurous and novel way to cross the oceans.

For passengers in 1932, boarding the Sikorsky S-40 was not just about travel; it was an experience that blended the excitement of air travel with the luxury of modern amenities. At a time when commercial aviation was still in its infancy, the aircraft provided a glimpse into the future of air transport. The Sikorsky S-40, with its sleek design and state-of-the-art features, represented the promise of faster, more comfortable travel, and its introduction by Pan Am helped to shape the future of the airline industry and aviation as a whole.

Thanks History Pages Facebook

The well-dressed woman might wear:

Kay-Francis-Adrienne-Ames-Constance-Bennet-trouser-haters-1933

While earlier forms of flight might have been shown at an exhibition in Paris.

Autochrome colour photo by French photographer Lèon Gimple taken at the 1909 Grand Exhibition in Paris. 

Hot-air Balloon Race at the 1900 Olympic Games held In Paris, France

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Then more inventions in flight appeared.

Hughes H-4 Spruce Goose, built by billionaire Howard Hughes in 1947, was the largest aircraft in the world and flew only once.

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1969 Lunar lander taking Armstrong and Aldren down to surface of moon from Apollo 11

A possible solar powered plane. No date.

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Sharing with Skywatch Friday, and Sepia Saturday Since there's not a Sepia Saturday next week, I've doubled up the flying machines this week, while others are taking part in, or observing various performances of the season.

Today's quote:

Jung called coincidence "synchronicity" and it happens to us all if we are only aware. Co-incidence--happening with. You must be ready to see it and do more than say "wow" when you do. To pluck a plum when you pass beneath the bough, you've got to be looking up. To catch the glisten of the green snail beneath the plum tree, you must regard the ground. To capture more good than bad, you scan the whole and, mantis like, snatch the happy moment before it springs away, out of reach.

- Robert Michael Pyle, "Wintergreen: Listening to the Land's Heart"