The Archive's responsibility is to provide for the physical security of the records to insure that conservation, storage, access procedures and exhibits are appropriate.

Understanding Igor Sikorsky the man and his accomplishments will provide an insight to the nature of the material in the Sikorsky Archive.

Mr. Sikorsky's headstone inscription reveals the man. It bears the words: "Rare is the man of vision whose dreams become reality. Rarer still is one whose vision brings a better life to others while fulfilling his own. Such a man was Igor I. Sikorsky, aeronautical pioneer, "father of the helicopter', inventor and philosopher."

His accomplishments were many, the name, Sikorsky, applies to the companies he founded and to the aircraft he and his companies designed and manufactured. Igor I. Sikorsky (1889-1972) started aviation as a youth working at home in Russia. He became an aviation expert to Czar Nicholas II, designed aircraft in France and emigrated to America. His greatest aeronautical achievements were his multi-engine airplanes, large flying boats and helicopters. His companies include Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation, Sikorsky Manufacturing Corporation, Sikorsky Aviation Corporation (subsidiary of United Aircraft & Transport Corporation), and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (subsidiary and later a division of United Aircraft Corporation, which in 1975 charged its name to United Technologies Corporation). Briefly during World War II Sikorsky Aircraft merged into Vought-Sikorsky.

Sikorsky history is rich. Through innovative designs numerous aviation World Records were set, some of the most significant follow:

The first Russian aircraft capable of a loop, S-12, 1912.

The first four-engine airplane, S-21, 1913.

The largest plane produced, S-27G, 1916.

The first twin-engine plane capable of flying on one engine, S-29A, 1924.

The largest airliner produced, S40, 1931. S-42 established ten world records, eight on one flight allowing the United States first place in the tenure of world records, 1934. S-43 established four altitude records, 1936.

The longest range commercial aircraft, S44, 1937.

The first successful single main rotor helicopter, VS-300, 1939.

The first production helicopter delivery, R4, 1942.

The first helicopter combat rescue, R-4, 1944.

The first helicopter civilian rescue, R-5, 1945.

The first helicopter Naval rescue, S-51, 1947.

The first helicopter to loop, S-52, 1949.

The holder of all the worlds recognized international helicopter records, S-51, 1950.

The first helicopter to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, S-55, 1952.

The first five-blade main rotor helicopter, S-56, 1953.

The first helicopter built specifically for a U.S. President, S-58, 1957.

The first helicopter to retrieve U. S. astronauts, S-58, 1961.

The first helicopter to travel faster than 200 MPH on a established course, S-61, 1962.

The first six-blade main rotor helicopter, S-65, 1964.

The first large helicopter to roll and loop, S45, 1968.

The first helicopter with swept-tip rotor blades, S-67, 1970.

This rich tradition of "First's in the Air" remains with us today.

The one accomplishment that Mr. Sikorsky was most proud of is the use of the helicopter as a life saving device. It is estimated to date that over 1,000,000 lives have been saved because of the helicopter. Microfilm of many of these rescue awards comprise part of the Archive's inventory.

Von Hardesty, Curator of the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, recently reviewed the Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives and said,

"The contents of the Igor Sikorsky Archive is, without a doubt, a National Historical Treasure."

The Archives has been providing technical support for several Sikorsky aircraft restorations. These include the VS-44 Flying Boat and S-51 Helicopter restorations at the Igor Sikorsky Memorial Airport, and the construction of a Sikorsky S-38 Flying Boat and a S-16 bi-plane.

One of the most cherished documents in the Archives is recent. It is a letter dated January, 25, 1995. It reads:

" My son's have been informing me of the many efforts that have been made to preserve the heritage and the memorabilia of my husbands career in Aviation. As someone who has watched this since from the early 1920's, including the very first flights of the S-29A through to the most advanced helicopters, I am deeply grateful to those who are preserving this heritage of history. As such I thank you for your many efforts. I know they will be appreciated by generations to come."

This letter was authored by and signed by Igor Sikorsky's wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Sikorsky.

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