EAA Ford Trimotor

[mustangdriver]

That is correct. We are flying both right now. If you pre-book the ride is $70.00

[pjpahs]

P51's reply on the aircraft he may have had his first ride, that "N" number on that picture is N7584, and according to FAA registry it is owned by
Kermit Weeks.

[Steve Nelson]

N7584 is currently under long-term rebuild by Ford Trimotor specialist Maurice Hovious in Vicksburg, MI. The plane has been in his shop for some 20 years..it's one of Kermit's "back burner" projects. It was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, not long after Kermit purchased it from Al Chaney, who "barnstormed" it around the country through the 1980s after acquiring it from Island Airlines. One of the reasons for the slow restoration progress is that Kermit wants it rebuilt as close to 1928 stanards as possible. This included drilling out all the modern rivets used when the plane was rebuilt after a crash in the late '70s, and replacing them with historically correct rivets, which had to be custom made. He's also planning to install original-looking wicker seats, which have a steel tube frame to comply with modern safety regs. The plane had languished for years with no apparent progress, but over the last year or two Kermit has posted some pictures on Facebook showing that work has resumed. I really hope to see this aircraft fly again someday..I too got my first airplane ride in her back in 1976. Hopefully Mr. Weeks will have her painted in her old red, white and blue Island Airlines livery (one of his recent pics showed the horizontal stab painted white, so I'm hopeful.)

SN

[p51]

N7584 is currently under long-term rebuild by Ford Trimotor specialist Maurice Hovious in Vicksburg, MI. The plane has been in his shop for some 20 years..it's one of Kermit's "back burner" projects. It was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Andrew, not long after Kermit purchased it from Al Chaney, who "barnstormed" it around the country through the 1980s after acquiring it from Island Airlines. One of the reasons for the slow restoration progress is that Kermit wants it rebuilt as close to 1928 stanards as possible. This included drilling out all the modern rivets used when the plane was rebuilt after a crash in the late '70s, and replacing them with historically correct rivets, which had to be custom made. He's also planning to install original-looking wicker seats, which have a steel tube frame to comply with modern safety regs. The plane had languished for years with no apparent progress, but over the last year or two Kermit has posted some pictures on Facebook showing that work has resumed. I really hope to see this aircraft fly again someday..I too got my first airplane ride in her back in 1976. Hopefully Mr. Weeks will have her painted in her old red, white and blue Island Airlines livery (one of his recent pics showed the horizontal stab painted white, so I'm hopeful.)

Thanks, Steve! The only things I could find online were very old, showing a restoration which hadn't gotten very far.
-Lee

[Clifford Bossie]

A few more from yesterday:

[Clifford Bossie]

Yesterday was "Model A Day":







Sticking with a Ford theme tomorrow will be "Mustang Day", but today is "British Motorcar Enthusiast Day". WTH? In the American Southwest on a day to highlight the Ford Trimotor we have "British Motorcar Enthusiast Day"?

Brings a joke to mind:

Q - Why do the English drink warm beer?

A- Because Lucas makes their refrigerators!

In all due respect it should be a fun day. Hopefully there will be several MGs, Triumphs and at least the museum's Jag. Probably be several Mini Coops too.

[p51]

Great shots, Cliff, thanks for posting them!

Hopefully there will be several MGs, Triumphs and at least the museum's Jag. Probably be several Mini Coops too.

Well, the ones that don't break down along the way, anyway...

[Russ Blow]

Ah yes. Lucas Electric the prince of darkness.

[Clifford Bossie]

First off I want to thank everyone with the EAA that made the Trimotor visit possible. It was a resounding success and a lot of fun for all involved. The visit is now a memory. The airplane should be in Tucson now. I hope all there enjoy it as much as everyone here has.

I did get to go up yesterday morning. What an experience!





Turning above Stahmann Farms. Those pecan trees will have leaves in a few weeks.





It was especially a good day as I got to fly in a Stearman as well!

[Clifford Bossie]

We had seen the 4-AT on final after we departed and we passed it again when we were returning:





We also got a few British cars Saturday:





Hopefully we can get one of the Stouts (Fords) to return in the future.

[mustangdriver]

The Chapter there did a great job. The stop was a huge success, and I'm sure you'll see it there again.