Airzoo Trimotor has Returned

Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:03 am

The Airzoo's Ford Trimotor has returned from it's long absence. Not sure what the plans are to fly her...don't know whether it'll happen yet this year or next. But she's home.

John

Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:26 am

Good news.
I will have to make the trip over to check her out. I havent seen her in 15 years.
Regards,
Mark

Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:04 am

Pics!

Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:23 am

Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:05 am

This is one of my fondest souvenir......

Getting to Kalamazoo during a weekend event.....not knowing it was on

Getting to see a naked B17 land & be openend for tours.......to this day, I do not know which one it is ( aprox in 2000 ) will have to post pics one day.

And of course getting a ride in the Ford

Never realised this thing has:
- no flaps :!:

With such a thick wing who needs them :wink:

was designed for grass ops..... I wonder when one first landed on paved runway ?
- all outbord engine instruments......are on the engine themselves
- and the memory of seeing the pilot trim her up un approach with that huge handle on the buklkhead being him
- and how short the takeoff & landing rolls are......
- the vibration.....the whole fuse has when the engines are gunned at takeoff

Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:10 am

By the way, to give credit where credit is due...the above photo was taken by John Seward, another docent at the Airzoo.

Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:06 pm

Great to see her back. I've heard the plan is to fly her and offer rides. I hope that's the case. It was probably the best ride bargain around in it's day, so if they do it again, hopefully they'll be able to keep the price down and affordable for everyone.

Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:15 pm

This is one of my fondest souvenir......

Getting to Kalamazoo during a weekend event.....not knowing it was on

Getting to see a naked B17 land & be openend for tours.......to this day, I do not know which one it is ( aprox in 2000 ) will have to post pics one day.

And of course getting a ride in the Ford

Never realised this thing has:
- no flaps With such a thick wing who needs them was designed for grass ops..... I wonder when one first landed on paved runway ?
- all outbord engine instruments......are on the engine themselves
- and the memory of seeing the pilot trim her up un approach with that huge handle on the buklkhead being him
- and how short the takeoff & landing rolls are......
- the vibration.....the whole fuse has when the engines are gunned at takeoff

I think that was the Warbirds Over Kalamazoo show in 1998. Probably the best of the short run of the shows.

And you're right, the Trimotor is quite the ride! My first ride in it was when I was 8 years old and the pilots let me climb up between them and watch while they were flying. That was one of the moments that really led to be getting bit by the warbird bug, for obvious reason! It's also interesting when you sit more towards the tail, because of how quickly the tail comes up on the takeoff roll. You feel like you're higher off the ground than the people in front!

Wed Sep 02, 2009 4:36 pm

I was too late and too young to get the air zoo experiance. I did get to see several air zoo aircraft at the Wings of Ealges shows in Elmira a few years. Seemed like both museums at the time supported each other. Sadly both kinda went down hill. The Air zoo has an awesome collection. I am sad most are hanger queens now.

Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:21 pm

Is this Tri-Motor a 5AT or 4AT?

Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:57 pm

Cool, Awsome, Fantastic, WOOHOO!!!!!!!

Great to see the old girl back..I've really missed her! My wife and I will be first in line for tickets once a ride program is up and running. I've ridden in the Airzoo Ford (a 5-AT BTW) at least a dozen times over the years. Back when I was a docent and the plane was flying they used to give volunteers a free ride for every 100 hrs of service.

I've always had a sof spot for the old Tin Goose..I got my first airplane ride in the old Island Airlines 4-AT (now owned by Kermit Weeks) back in 1976.

SN