A climb aboard the Ford Tri-Motor is a step back into the infancy and glamour of early commercial air flight.
On June 29, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) flew into the MAPS hanger and delivered a piece of history, the first commercial airliner.
“There were only 199 of the Ford Tri-Motors manufactured,” said Wayne Noall, the vice president of EAA Chapter 846. “This one is No. 146, manufactured on Aug. 21, 1929.”
Today there are only an estimated six Ford Tri-Motors known in the world. Nicknamed the “Tin Goose,” Noall said perhaps only three of those six are currently flying.
Henry Ford, said Noall, was more than the auto business legend. Ford was in the transportation business and he envisioned not only road but air travel. Ford mass produced this airliner.
The plane is 49-feet, 10 inches long with a wingspan of 74-feet. Weighing more than 10,000- pounds, the Ford Tri-Motor is powered by three Pratt & Whitney 985s. The cruising speed is 112 miles per hour and had a range of 570 miles before refueling.
“I watched the first ones fly into the Akron Airport,” said Jerry Winningham of Ellet. “I was probably 5-or-6 years old when I saw my first one.”
Jerry stepped off the first flight of the visiting Tri-Motor at Akron Canton Airport on June 29. His son, Joel, a Dallas Fire Department trainer, purchased the ride for his father as a Father’s Day gift.
“It was excellent,” said Jerry. “It was a nice ride.”
He said the flight took him north to the point where he could see the Goodyear Air Dock. “It was a wonderful gift.”
The Ford Tri-Motor has seating for 10, including the pilot, Cody Welch.
Green Mayor Dick Norton, a pilot and aviation enthusiast, was among the crowd to ride the historic airplane. “This is a very unique airplane,” said Norton. “It’s an honor and a privilege to get to fly in it.”
Green firefighter Dale Brumbaugh said he too appreciates the history of the airplane.
“My uncle was in the Air Force,” said Brumbaugh. “After listening to his stories, you can’t help but appreciate the history.”
“It’s an old plane and I may never get to do this again,” said Green Fire Chief Bob Calderone, who described the 15-minute ride as enjoyable.
The ride was a little bumpy from some cross-wind, but the airplane offered more legroom than most coach-class seats offer today. The interior was detailed with a light wood and painted designs to resemble an inlay.
“This plane is very nostalgic,” said Noall, who is also the chairman of the MAPS board of directors. “It was meticulously manufactured.”
This plane flew up and down the east coast in the late 1920s and early 1930s with Eastern Airways, the forerunner of Eastern Airlines. In the mid 1930s, this Tin Goose flew for a Cuban airline as well as in Central and South America. It transported smoke jumpers in Idaho and Montana in the 1940s.
Today this particular Ford Tri-Motor is based at the EAA museum’s Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. After being broken into three pieces during a storm, the plane underwent a 12-year restoration process starting in the 1970s. It’s the featured aircraft in Johnny Depp’s new movie, “Public Enemies” with Christian Bale.
The Tin Goose will puddle jump to Sandusky July 2-6 where aviation buffs can catch a ride for $60 each. Then it’s on to Pontiac, Michigan, July 9-12. For more information, contact EAA at 1-800-564-6322 or go online to www.eaa.org.
