Warbird Information Exchange

The EAA has two Ford Trimotors at their disposal, a 4-AT and a 5-AT. More properly Stout trimotors. The EAA's Stout 4-AT-69 arrived at 5T6 (Dona Ana County International Jetport at Santa Teresa) and I was there to greet it. The 5-AT is in Florida this week, but the 4-AT will be at 5T6 for a week. It leaves next week for Tucson. The tour stops for both airplanes can be found at http://www.flytheford.com.



Down in the weeds:



















She was built with Wright J6-9 Whirlwinds (R-975) but was refitted with P&W R-985s during one of her rebuilds:





After everyone else went home I stayed wiping up oil:



Over the next few days I will post more Trimotor stuff on Photobucket:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/jinxx1/ ... t=9&page=1

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Had God intended for man to fly behind inline engines, Pratt & Whitney would have made them.

CB

http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/Desrt_Wings.html

WOW! Incredible plane. The Tri-motors were great aircraft...both Ford and Fokker. Thanks for posting the pictures...!

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

If I ever get the chance to get a flight on a tri-motor, I'll make a point in taking it.
My first flight ever was in 1986, I think, and it was on this specific bird:

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

I got my first airplane ride in that bird as well, in 1976. It was still owned by Island Airlines then, but for some reason they were touring it a bit selling rides. I've now managed to get rides on two others: the Air Zoo's and the EAA's. I'm hoping to make it four by getting a hope in the "new" Ford.

Yep, it was passing through my hometown of Tallahassee Florida that weekend. Some pals of mine and I were going up to Valdosta, GA to see steam locomotive 611 pull an excursion up there from Jacksonville but my best friend saw a newspaper ad for rides.
For ten bucks more you could ride the co-pilot seat ($20 for a normal seat, I still recall it clearly). I deeply regret not doing that but I had zero money back then and no way to earn any. My folks were nice enough to agree to let me take that flight as my friends wouldn't have gone to the (now closed, I've read) commerical airport if I'd gotten thumbs down from Mom and Dad. They weren't the type to leave a pal on the ground.
We mistakenly thought at the time it was the one they used in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," but I got to see that one many years later...

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

This is the Liberty Air Museum's 5-AT Tri-Motor that I flew in on 10/12/14 in Port Clinton, Ohio. The flight was great! I believe that shortly after that it went on tour with the EAA.

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May all your bent wings be F2G Corsairs!

One of my goals is to fly in a Ford.
I do wish they'd tour it (the B-17, or last year the B-17 and 24) come up here al the time, and I'm beginning to think everyone whop wants a ride in those has had one.
It would be nice for a change.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.
Note political free signature.
I figure if you wanted my opinion on items unrelated to this forum, you'd ask for it.

For the money, you can't beat the value of a Trimotor ride. Maybe the best bang for the buck out there. I am hoping to get to Port Clinton to ride in the Liberty Aviation Museum's aircraft sometime this summer or fall.

My first airplane ride ever was in the Air Zoo Trimotor at one of the old Kalamazoo airshows. I was about seven or eight years old. The two pilots gave me a headset so I could listen in, and let me stand up between them in the cockpit for a couple minutes. For a 7/8 year old, that was just about the coolest thing ever. My eyes were as big as dinner plates the entire ride. Just an awesome experience, and one I will never forget.

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Matt

Is the Southern Cross (replica) the only flying Fokker Trimoter in the world? I believe it is currently under re-build in Australia after a landing accident about 10 years ago. I think its the largest flying replica aircraft in the world...

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

If anyone ever has a cool story for our Ford's be sure to PM me. I help set up the media flights for the both of them.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Manager

A neat history of the Ford 4-AT-10:

http://www.fordtri-motor.com/page1thru5.cfm

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

If the EAA tin goose ever comes to the Pac NW and I can make it to the field, I'd for certain pay to ride a Tri-Motor again!
Anyone have a clue of the current status of N7584? I couldn't find anything online that is recent.

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

I took the opportunity at Meacham last year, in Fort Worth. Among the better uses of $75 I have ever found!

JMC

From Inside:



And later From Outside:

$75? Oh heck yeah, I'd pay that in a heartbeat for another tin goose ride!

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Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

I too took a ride in the EAA's 4-AT for 75$ 3years ago in Indiana. The Liberty Aviation 5-AT is being leased to the EAA
from what I've read. We were flying parallel to a highway and it seemed the cars were going as fast as the Ford, maybe faster.
well worth the price.