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Sikhorsky [i.e., Sikirsky] Aeroplane RUSSIAN KNIGHT (LOC)

from The Library of Congress

• LWyman said:

  Igor himself spelled his name as Sikorsky lccn.loc.gov/mm82040014. I believe the Russian Knight is the first multi-engine, fixed wing aircraft, and a later version became the first 4 engine aircraft. Sikorsky immigrated to the U.S. in 1919, developed the first practical helicopter in 1939, and later designs of the Sikorsky Aircraft Company were chosen to serve the U.S. President. These include the VH-3D seen here with Rosalynn Carter
  
  www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005696417/
  Several of these shiny, dark green and white VH-3Ds are still operated by the Marine Corps as official helicopters of the President, and can frequently be seen flying around Washington D.C.

• FrigateRN said:

  Thank you for the information, very interesting.

• Greg said:

  Thanks, L, we'll touch up the record.

• technogeo said:

  Sikorsky built this aircraft during the winter of 1912-13. He named it "Russkiy vityaz" (Russian Knight) but it soon became known as the "Grand" or "Le Grand." A giant machine at the time, it had a wingspan of 88 ft. 7 in. and a length of 65 ft. 7 in. The fuselage was covered with plywood for greater rigidity. Initially the airplane had two 100-horsepower Argus engines, but two more were added for the first historic flight near St. Petersburg on May 26, 1913. (Source: D. Cochrane et al. "The Aviation Careers of Igor Sikorsky." Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1989.) The image above shows a half-tone print of the original. It is usually dated February 1913.