It's 49 years since I'd been to this collection, back then known as the Bradley Air Museum. At that time, the only surviving VS-44 of the three built was lying dismantled and unrestored at the Naval Air Museum, Pensacola, having been donated by Antilles Air Boats who had used it to ferry passengers among the Virgin Islands until damaged beyond repair in January 1969 on hitting rocks while taxiing at Charlotte Amalie. In 1983 it was transferred on permanent loan to NEAM, first being shipped by barge to Sikorsky Memorial Airport, Stratford, CT where restoration took place between 1987 and 1997

Excambian is the only surviving aircraft of three built by Sikorsky for non-stop trans-Atlantic service. Delivered in May, 1942 it then flew passenger-carrying flights painted in USN camouflage. It was under contract to the USN and Army until December, 1944. and then flew scheduled passenger service for American Export Airlines until late in 1945 when it was retired and replaced by land-based Douglas DC-4s. It subsequently flew for several different airlines, including Antilles Air Boats, but was damaged beyond economic repair in 1969. It came to NEAM for restoration and display in 1983.

American Export Airlines used the aircraft for route surveys. Passed to the US Navy as 99080 in 1944. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

The last surviving Sikorsky VS-44 flying boat.

Built in 1940 and impressed by US Navy as XJRS-1 12391 for transport duties. Released to American Export lines postwar. Flew until damaged in 01.69. The sole survivor of its type.

Built in 1940 for American Export Airlines. Impressed in WW2 by US Navy as 12391. Restored postwar as NC41881 and flew passengers until late 1960s. Now preserved in the NEAM at Windsor Locks, as the last survivor of the type.

Photo by Harold Martin.

This aircraft is now preserved in the excellent New England Air Museum. Photo by Logan Coombs.