The state archives description: "The Sikorsky S-40 was placed in operation by Pan American World Airways in 1931. The S-40s were the first four engine aircraft to be regularly used in commercial air service."

The Sikorsky S-40 was the first aircraft to carry a "Clipper" name. It had 38 seats, flew at 115 mph, had a 34,000 lb. max gross takeoff weight, and a 900 mile range. The S-40 was slow so it was used for shorter flights to Mexico, the Bahamas and Havana, Cuba. Only 3 were built and all for Pan American. The registrations were: NC-80V, NC-81V, NC-752V.