Johnson Wax Carnauba S-38 Headed to Oshkosh

A special airplane built in the 1990s to help a son retrace his father's path made in the 1930s will be on display throughout the week of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004, July 27-August 2 at AeroShell Square. The Johnson Wax Carnauba is a replica of the Sikorsky S-38, designed in the late 1920s and was used by Herbert F. Johnson on his expedition to Brazil in search of a reliable source of Carnauba palms, a key ingredient of the family products. The replica was commissioned by the late Sam Johnson to recreate his dad's epic 1935 flight. Sam, who passed away recently, made a wonderful documentary, "Carnauba: A Son's Memoir," detailing the building of the amphibious airplane and recreating his father's flight.

The Carnauba replica project originated during a conversation between Sam Johnson and the late R.W. "Buzz" Kaplan, both EAA President's Council members. The two were trading Cessna Caravan stories during the fall 1994 Board meetings in Oshkosh. After Buzz, owner of an aircraft restoration company, Born Again Restorations, talked about his trip to Siberia with his Caravan, Sam mentioned he was planning a trip to Brazil with his, following the same route as his father nearly 60 years earlier.

Vintage Aircraft Association Editor H.G. Frautschy, who authored an extensive feature article about the Carnauba S-38 in the November 1998 issue of Sport Aviation, wrote Kaplan's account of what happened next:

"I said, 'Sam, you don't want do that!"
"He looked at me somewhat startled and said, 'I don't?'"
"No, if you're going to make that trip you ought to do it in the same airplane your father flew."
"'There aren't any left.'"
"Well, then you have to make one."
"'Could that be done?'"
"Certainly."
"'Who would do that?'"
"I would."

From that simple exchange, plans were made to re-create the Johnson Wax Sikorsky S-38 "Carnauba."

Actually two were built, the other the Zebra-schemed aircraft "Osa's Ark" that has appeared at several recent EAA AirVenture fly-ins.

The airplane has a wingspan of 71 feet, eight inches, measures 45 feet long and weighs more than 6,800 pounds. Power comes from two 415-hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines, and its maximum cruise speed of about 125 mph.

The EAA AirVenture Museum has a special Carnauba exhibit that includes a cross-section of the airplane and a looping video showing highlights of the film.

When Sam Johnson passed away in May this year, much was written and said about the love he had for aviation and his S-38. The aircraft honored the memorial service with a series of fly-bys.

The airplane is scheduled to arrive Tuesday morning, July 27, at about 0900.

FMI: www.eaa.org