"American Clipper" Sikorsky S-40

Pan American Airways ordered four Sikorsky S-40 flying boats in 1930. These aircraft were the first airliners built specifically to an airline's specifications. The first flying boat was christened "American Clipper" and made its inaugural flight on November 19, 1931 with Charles Lindbergh at the controls. All four Sikorsky S-40s flew Pan Am's Caribbean and South American routes all through the decade of the thirties and were retired from passenger service in June 1940 with a perfect safety record.