Basil Smith: Sikorsky VS 300

Artist: Basil Smith
1925 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 10 by 9 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

Since the dawn of powered flight, many people had been fascinated with the possibility of vertical flight by helicopter. One of them was a young Igor Sikorsky, son of one of Russia's foremost medical psychologists. For years, Sikorsky had been dreaming about the possibilities of the helicopter, having been inspired since childhood by the works of Jules Vern and Leonardo da Vinci. To test his propulsion theories, Sikorsky once built a horseless sleigh which was propelled by a large engine-powered propeller mounted at the rear. His first helicopter was built in 1909 but was unsuccessful. After serveral more disappointing trials, Sikorsky turned to designing fixed-wing aircraft. After the 1917 Revolution in Russia, Sikorsky settled in the United States and became involved in the aircraft industry. By the later 1930s, he was the engineering manager of the Vought-Sikorsky Division of the United Aircraft Corporation. This association led to the devlopment of Sikorsky's VS 300, which was the first practical helicopter developed in the United States. Sikorsky went on to design and develop helicopters even more versatile. One aircraft executive described the contribution of the VS 300 in this way, "Before Igor Sikorsky flew the VS 300 there was no helicopter industry, after he flew it, there was."

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Sikorsky VS 300.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB09679

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