EAA Ford Trimotor

Clifford Bossie · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:01 pm

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

APG85 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:15 pm

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

p51 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:17 pm

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:

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:17 pm

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.

p51 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 9:32 pm

Steve Nelson wrote:

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.

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...

kennsmithf2g · **Posted:** Mon Feb 02, 2015 10:00 pm

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.

JohnB · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:46 am

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.

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:55 am

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.

APG85 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 9:56 am

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...

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:01 am

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.

APG85 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:47 am

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

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

p51 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:16 pm

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.

eagle21 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 3:53 pm

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:

p51 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:10 pm

eagle21 wrote:

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

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

pjpahs · **Posted:** Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:52 pm

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.

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