Ford Trimotor G-CYWZ of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Ford Trimotor, nicknamed The Tin Goose, was a three engine civil transport aircraft first produced in 1925 by Henry Ford and continued until June 7, 1933. Throughout its lifespan a total of about 200 aircraft were produced. It was popular with the military and was sold all over the world. Unlike his famous cars, trucks and farm tractors, Ford did not make the engines for these airplanes. This famous plane, in effect, was the bird that originally "launched" commercial air travel, as we know it today, to a widespread level. One might say the unique three-engined prop-driven Ford plane started the airline industry. Source: http://www. ... Source: http://www. ... The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) was the air force of Canada from 1924 until 1968 when the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Forces. ... Henry Ford (1919) Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. ... June 7 is the 158th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (159th in leap years), with 207 days remaining. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... The Ford Model T (colloquially known as the Tin Lizzie and the Flivver) was an automobile produced by Henry Fords Ford Motor Company from 1908 through 1927. ... Civil airliner - Air India Boeing 747-400 Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-Military aviation, both private and commercial. ... A Boeing 747-400 belonging to Virgin Atlantic Airways, one of the UKs largest airlines. ...

Development

In the early 1920's Henry Ford, along with a list of 19 other investors including his son Edsel, invested in the Stout Metal Airplane Company. In 1925 Ford bought Stout and its Hugo Junkers influenced aircraft designs. Ford adapted the traditionally single engined Stout craft with three Wright air-cooled radial engines. After a series of test aircraft and a suspicious fire causing the complete destruction of all previous designs, the 4-AT and 5-AT emerged. The Ford Trimotors used an all metal construction - not a revolutionary concept, but certainly beyond the standard in the 1920s. The aircraft resembled the Fokker F.VII but it was all metal; its wings were made of aluminum and corrugated for added strength. This has become something of a signature for the trimotor. Transcontinental Air Transport, which later became part of TWA, used the craft to begin its transcontinental air service from San Diego to New York in 1929. Henry Ford (1919) Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. ... Hugo Junkers Hugo Junkers (3 February 1859 - 3 February 1935) was an innovative German engineer, as his many patents in varied areas (gas engines, aeroplanes) show. ... The Fokker F.VII was a small airliner originally produced by Anthony Fokkers Atlantic Aircraft Company, and later by other companies under licence. ... The Twa, also known as Batwa, are a pygmy people, of short stature, who were the oldest recorded inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of central Africa. ... 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

One 4-AT with Wright J-4 200 hp engines was built for the Army Air Corps as type C-3, and 7 with Wright R-790-3 (235 hp) as type C-3A. The latter were upgraded to Wright R-975-1 (J6-9) radials at 300 hp and redesignated C-9. Five 5-ATs were built as C-4 or C-4A.

The original (commercial production) 4-AT had 3 air cooled Wright radial engines. It carried a crew of three - pilot, co-pilot and stewardess - and eight or nine passengers. The later 5-AT had more powerful Pratt & Whitney engines. All models had aluminum corrugated sheet metal body and wings. However, like many aircraft of this era, extending through World War II and later, the aircraft control surfaces were fabric covered. As was common for the time, the rudder and elevator were controlled by wires that were strung along the external surface of the aircraft. Similarly, engine gauges were mounted externally, on the engines, to be read by the pilot looking through the windscreen. The Wright Company or Wright & Co. ... Pratt & Whitney is an American aircraft engine manufacturer whose products are widely used in both civil and military aircraft. ... Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Stern-mounted steering oar of an Egyptian riverboat depicted in the Tomb of Menna (c. ... For other meanings of elevator see Elevator (disambiguation). ...

Like his cars and tractors, these Ford aircraft were well designed, relatively inexpensive, and reliable (for the era). The rapid development of aircraft at this time, (the vastly superior Douglas DC-2 was first conceived in 1932), helped Henry Ford to lose interest in aircraft production. While Ford didn't make a profit on its aviation business, Ford's reputation leant credibility to the infant aviation industry, and Ford helped introduce many aspects of the modern aviation infrastructure, including paved runways, passenger terminals, hangars, airmail, and radio navigation.^[1] The Douglas DC-2 was a 14 seat, twin-propeller airliner produced by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. ...

The Tri-motor was not to be Ford's last venture in aircraft production. During World War II, he built the largest aircraft manufacturing plant in the world and assembled thousands of B-24 bombers under license to Consolidated Aircraft. Royal Canadian Air Force B-24 Liberator The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was produced in greater numbers than any other American combat aircraft, and was used by most of the Allied air forces in World War II. Designed as a heavy bomber, it served with distinction not only in that... The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1923 by Reuben H. Fleet. ...

Operational history

A total of 199 Ford Tri-motors were built between 1926 and 1933, including 79 of the 4-AT variant, and 117 of the 5-AT variant, plus some experimental craft. Well over 100 airlines of the world flew the Ford Tri-motor.^[1]

4-AT serial number 10 was built in 1927. It flew in the United States and Mexico under registration number C-1077, and for several years in Canada under registration number G-CARC. It had many notable accomplishments. It was flown by Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart among many others. It made the first commercial flight from the United States to Mexico City, and the first commercial flight over the Canadian Rockies. After damage on landing, it was grounded 1936 and remained for decades at Carcross, Yukon. In 1956 the wreck was salvaged and preserved, and in the mid 1980's Greg Herrick took over C-1077 and began restoring it. As of 2006, C-1077 is in flying condition again, restored to its December 1927 appearance.^{[1] [2]} For the U.S. Representative from Minnesota (1859 – 1924), see Charles August Lindbergh For Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Junior, see Lindbergh kidnapping Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974), known as Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle, was an American pilot famous for the first solo, non-stop flight... Amelia Mary Earhart (24 July 1897 – missing 2 July 1937, declared dead 5 January 1939) was a noted American aviation pioneer and womens rights advocate. ... Nickname: Location of Mexico City in central Mexico Coordinates: Country Mexico Federal entity Federal District Boroughs The 16 delegaciones Founded (as Tenochtitlan) c. ... Ringrose Peak, Lake OHara, British Columbia, Canada The Canadian Rockies comprise the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. ... Carcross Carcross, originally Caribou Crossing, is an unincorporated community and a Reserve in the Yukon Territory of Canada on Lake Bennett and Nares Lake. ... 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt flew on a Ford TriMotor in 1932 during his presidential campaign^[3]. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945), 32nd President of the United States, the longest-serving holder of the office and the only man to be elected President more than twice, was one of the central figures of 20th century history. ...

As of 2006, there are 18 Ford Tri-motors in existence. A few of these are in flyable condition. One such aircraft resides at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo, Michigan.^[4] Raven 2006 is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum — generally refered to as the Air Zoo — is located just down the street from the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport and only minutes from downtown Kalamazoo in Portage, Michigan. ... Nickname: The Mall City Location of Kalamazoo within Kalamazoo County, Michigan Coordinates: Counties Kalamazoo County  - Mayor Hannah McKinney Area    - City 65. ...

Military operators

• Australia (RAAF), Canada (RCAF), Colombia, Spain, United States (as the C-4).

The RAAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a Kangaroo, a symbol of Australia. ... The RCAF Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force with a maple leaf, a symbol of Canada in the centre. ...

Specifications (Ford Trimotor)

General characteristics

• Crew: Two plus
• Capacity: Eight passengers

• Cost: US$42,000 in 1933

• Length: 50 ft 3 in (15.32 m)
• Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
• Height: 12 ft 8 in (3.86 m)
• Wing area: 835 ft² (77.6 m²)
• Empty weight: 7,840 lb (3,560 kg)
• Loaded weight: 10,130 lb (4,590 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 13,500 lb (6,120 kg)

• Fuel capacity: 230 US gal (886 L)
• Fuel consumption: 45 US gal/h (173 L/h))

• Powerplant: 3× Pratt & Whitney Wasp C 9-cylinder radial engines, 420 hp (313 kW) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 150 mph (241 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 90 mph (145 km/h)
• Stall speed: 64 mph (103 km/h)
• Range: 550 mi (885 km)
• Service ceiling: 18,500 ft (5,640 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
• Wing loading: 16.17 lb/ft² (78.87 kg/m²)
• Power/mass: 10.71 lb/hp (6.52 kg/kW)

The distance AB is the wing span of this Aer Lingus Airbus A320. ... In aviation, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (or MTOW) is the maximum weight with which an aircraft is allowed to try to achieve flight. ... Pratt & Whitney R-1340 The Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp was a reciprocating engine widely used in American aircraft from the 1920s onward. ... The radial engine is an internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel. ... VNO of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of normal operation. ... Airspeed Indicator in a light aircraft The VC of an aircraft is the V speed which refers to the velocity of cruising. ... Stall speed is an aerodynamic term. ... The maximal total range is the distance an aircraft can fly between takeoff and landing as limited by its fuel capacity. ... In aeronautics, the service ceiling is the maximum density altitude where the best rate of climb airspeed will produce a 100 feet per minute climb(twin engine) and 50 feet(single engine) at maximum weight while in a clean configuration with maximum continuous power. ... This page is a candidate to be moved to Wiktionary. ... In aerodynamics, wing loading is the loaded weight of the aircraft divided by the area of the wing. ... Power-to-weight ratio is a measure commonly used when comparing various vehicles (or engines), including automobiles, motorcycles and aircraft. ...

Culture

The plane is referenced in the Clive Cussler book Iceberg and used by character Dirk Pitt for a rescue operation. The plane is also referred to in Cussler's book Valhalla Rising when Pitt uses it to escape and attack from a Fokker Dr.I, the type of plane used by Manfred von Richthofen, also known as The Red Baron. The movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom depicts a flight and crash of an aircraft much like a Ford Trimotor. // Clive Eric Cussler (born July 15, 1931 in Aurora, Illinois)[1][2] is an American adventure novelist and successful amateur marine archaeologist. ... Dirk Pitt is a fictional character, the protagonist of a series of bestselling adventure novels written by Clive Cussler. ... The Fokker Dr. I Dreidecker (triplane) was a World War I fighter aircraft designed by Reinhold Platz and built by the company led by Anthony Fokker. ... “Red Baron” redirects here. ... Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is an Academy Award winning 1984 action/adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. ...

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Herrick, Greg A. (2004). The Amazing Story of America's Oldest Flying Airliner (PDF), Jackson, Wyoming, USA: Yellowstone Aviation, Inc.. Retrieved on 2006-10-01.  This 28-page booklet describes the history of the Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-10, C-1077, a.k.a G-CARC "Niagara". It also describes the restoration process and some general history of Ford's aviation and the Tri-Motor.
2. ^ Herrick, Greg (2004). Ford Tri-motor 4-AT-10, C-1077, a.k.a G-CARC "Niagara". Yellowstone Aviation, Inc.. Retrieved on 2006-10-01.
3. ^ Larkins, William T. (October 1992). The Ford Tri-Motor, 1926-1992. Schiffer Publishing, 288 pp. ISBN 0887404162.  Page 170.
4. ^ Wiggins, Arthur B. (2006). Ford Tri-Motor List. Retrieved on 2006-10-01. An enthusiast's register of existing Ford Tri-motors, Bushmasters, and Stinson Tri-motors.

• Lowe, Scott A.. Ford Trimotor.org. Scott A. Lowe. Retrieved on 2006-10-01. This web site is "a tribute to the Ford Tri-Motor", and contains facts, pictures, bibliography and more.

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Related content

Comparable aircraft

• Fokker F.VII

Designation sequence

• C-1 - C-2 - C-3 - C-4 - C-5 - C-6 - C-7 - C-8 - C-9 - C-10 - C-11 - C-12

Related lists

• List of airliners
• List of military aircraft of the United States

The Fokker F.VII was a small airliner originally produced by Anthony Fokkers Atlantic Aircraft Company, and later by other companies under licence. ... The Question Mark (bottom) being refueled by a Douglas C-1 (top) The Douglas C-1 was a cargo/transport airplane produced by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation for the United States Army Air Service starting in 1925. ... The Southern Cross, an F.VIIb-3m. ... The Southern Cross, an F.VIIb-3m. ... The Southern Cross, an F.VIIb-3m. ... 1928 Curtiss Robin advertisement. ... This article is about the aircraft type. ... This list of aircraft is sorted alphabetically, beginning with the name of the manufacturer (or, in certain cases, designer). ... This list of military aircraft of the United States includes prototype, pre-production and operational types. ...