

Meet 3 Historically Important Flying Boats
A wide range of fascinating aircraft flew through Foynes during the flying boat days. Here’s a brief synopsis of three of the main aircraft. Learn more about these and other aircraft in our museum.
Boeing 314
Short S.30—Empire Boat
The origins of the Empire boats lay in an Air Ministry need for passenger and mail carriers that could service the colonies, particularly making the connection to Australia. The S.30 series, Cabot, Caribou, Clyde, and Connemara, fitted with in-flight refueling equipment and extra fuel tanks, could be used for transatlantic airmail service.
Sikorsky VS-44
During World War II, under a Navy contract, the three VS-44s continued flying between New York and Foynes carrying passengers, freight, and war material. The first VS-44, Excalibur, crashed on takeoff in 1942, ending her life early. After the war, the big Sikorsky flying boats continued to fly for the airline, which had renamed itself American Overseas Airlines (AOA) and was operated by American Airlines.
More Information
Click through to learn more about some of the key flying boat airlines, the pioneering pilots of these amazing machines, and some of the VIPs who rode as passengers.