Carnaúba Airplane Suspended in SC Johnson’s International Headquarters
A full size plane hangs from the ceiling of the facility – both from the interior of the facility and as viewed through the glass from the outside – in SC Johnson’s new Fortaleza Hall in Racine, Wis.
Family History of Adventure
In 1998, Sam Johnson, Chairman Emeritus and the fourth generation leader of SC Johnson, and his sons, Curt and Fisk, recreated aviation and family history in this plane by making a 15,000 mile round trip flight from Racine to Fortaleza, Brazil. During that trip, the Johnson family piloted an exact replica of the twin-engine S-38 amphibious aircraft used by Sam’s father, H.F. Johnson Jr., in his historic adventure to Northeastern Brazil in 1935. He made this daring journey to study the Carnaúba palm and the wax it produces for use in the company’s wax products.
When H.F. Johnson Jr. made that iconic trip 75 years ago, he returned with a visionary view of the world which helped him to take the company in new directions. His one wish for his son, Sam, was that he take the same journey at some point during his life. And, the Johnson family trip in 1998 was just that – a way for Sam to fulfill his father’s dream for him.
Recreating the Dream
It was important to Sam and his sons that their trip to Fortaleza duplicate H.F. Johnson Jr.’s expedition – down to the aircraft he flew. The original plane, an S-38, had sunk off the coast of New Guinea after H.F. Johnson Jr. sold it many years earlier. The solution: to build an exact replica of the S-38 Sikorsky that could be flown along the same route to Brazil.
Sam called upon Born Again Restorations in Owatonna, Minn. to manufacture the replica aircraft to S-38 specifications. The resulting airplane – a magnificent, colorful “flying boat” – that captured the adventurous spirit of the entire Johnson family.
In retracing his father’s journey to Fortaleza, Sam not only found the spirit of his father, but also found a renewed sense of personal spirit. He experienced his father through the Carnaúba airplane and the Carnaúba palm, which sustained him both personally and professionally throughout the remaining years of his life.
A Legacy for the Future
The Carnaúba is much more than an aircraft. It is a symbol of the spirit of family, adventure and leadership for the Johnson family and the people of SC Johnson. It hangs today in Fortaleza Hall as a memorial to Sam Johnson and serves as a reminder of Sam’s courage and spirit of exploration. In its new home, it will continue to serve as an inspiration – hopefully propelling all who see it to undertake their own personal journeys and self discoveries.
Original S-38 Sikorsky
• Designed by Russian-born Igor Sikorsky, the S-38 amphibious aircraft has come to be known as “The Explorer’s Air Yacht.” Sikorsky’s passion for flying along with his innovative and safety related philosophy: “We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere…every time.”™ make him a formidable name in aviation history.
• Developed from the S-34 and S-36, the S-38 first flew on May 25, 1928. The S-38 was Sikorsky’s first widely produced amphibious plane.
• Only 101 S-38 airplanes were built by Sikorsky Manufacturing Corp. of Long Island, N.Y. and by Sikorsky Aviation Corp. in Bridgeport, Conn. – which was acquired by United Aircraft and Transport Corp. (now United Technologies Corp.) mid-production.
• Primary users of the S-38s were Pan American Airways, the U.S. Army and a host of explorers/adventurers including aviator/businessman Howard Hughes; aviator Charles Lindbergh; newspaper publisher Robert R. McCormick; venture capitalist John Hay Whitney; and H.F. Johnson Jr. (the Johnson plane was manufactured in 1930).
Johnson S-38 Replica
• Construction: The hull is made of oak and ash framework, covered in aluminum. The wings, tail and booms are metal covered in fabric. The interior of Carnaúba includes two wicker chairs and one three-seat divan.
• Colors of Carnaúba: The official names of the paint colors used on the replica Carnaúba are Madrid red, yellow-orange, black and Nevada silver – the traditional colors of the company at that time.
• Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney “Wasp Jr.” 450 horsepower, electrical starters (the original plane’s engines were 420 horsepower with inertial-type starters)
• Propellers: Eight feet, nine inches in diameter, constant speed, full-feathering (the original plane’s propellers were nine feet, 10 inches in diameter, adjustable pitch)
• Weight empty: 7,400 pounds (original plane was 6,850 pounds)
• Performance:
- Maximum speed: 125 mph
- Stall speed: 55 mph
- Normal cruise Speed: 98 mph (original plane had a normal cruise of 110 mph)
• Fuel capacity: 340 gallons
• Seating capacity: Two crew, five passengers (original plane held two crew, 10 passengers)
• Miles logged: 43,540 nautical miles (50,071 statute miles) in 622 hours
Visit the Carnaúba
Fortaleza Hall is open to the public and invites visitors to tour the building. Tours of Fortaleza Hall will run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year.
• Fridays, beginning Feb. 12 – April 30: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Fridays, May 7 – Oct. 29: 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Fridays, Nov. 5 – March 25, 2011: 9:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 2 p.m.
• Saturdays, beginning Feb. 13 – May 1: 11 a.m., 1 p.m.
• Saturdays, May 8 – Oct. 30: 10 a.m., and 1:15 p.m.
Tours are free of charge. Visitors are also welcome to tour the Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on campus on Fridays. Reservations for both tours are required.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Library and Reading Room will also be available to visitors 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., with reservations and based upon availability.
To make a reservation, call 262-260-2154 or email Rondelle@scj.com