Dear Mr Glasser, how old were you when you took your first flight from Bluefields to Managua? I .am a stamp and postal history collector, I am more gathering I formation about first flight in Nicaragua. Thanks.
Alan J. Stewart, e-mail, 24.08.2017 00:21
Cincinnati, Ohio, mid 90's, Lunken Airport (Sunken Lunken, it was near the Ohio River and sometimes flooded). Labor Day weekend, giant fireworks sponsored by WEBN, 2 million people lining the banks of the Ohio River. $20, 15 passengers, 30 minute flight at 90 mph. Too bad I didn't have my camera.
Dean Marr, e-mail, 24.05.2017 16:30
Several times during my Sandusky, Ohio high school years (1947-50)I have flown the Island Airlines Ford Tri-Motor from Port Clinton to Middle Bass Island for pheasant hunting with my dad. The wicker seats and the noise, I remember well. Also remember the ticketing process as being very unique. The ticket, which I believe cost a $1.50, was a credit card sized metal plate. When it was time to board, the man who sold you the ticket collected it back as you boarded the plane. Then he also boarded the plane, closed the door, went to the pilot's seat, started the engines and off we went. Talk about a one man operation!! Since they had 3 planes at the time I suspect it was at least a 3 man operation.
Fast forward about 20 years to the late 1960's. I lived in Detroit and had a yacht moored on the Detroit river. One summer Friday, with 6 other couples, we motored down the river to Lake Erie and then east to Middle Bass for a weekend of wine and fun.
Come Sunday our planned return trip was in serious doubt due to very rough waters on the lake and since some of our group had to be back to work the first thing Monday AM, I called Island Airlines to see if we could charter a Tri-Motor to take 10 people to Detroit City Airport. No problem and if memory serves me correctly, the cost was only about $150.00 for all ten people. It turned out to be extremely profitable for Island Airlines. The plane generated so much interest after landing at Detroit City Airport that arrangements were made were made for it to return to Detroit for the next weekend which was a 3 day holiday (either July 4th or Labor Day). I'm told that they spent 3 days taking hundreds of passengers for short rides. A win-win situation is there ever was one.
sydney crawford, e-mail, 27.02.2017 02:44
My father, Vernon "Crazy" Johns flew this airplane for Henry Ford in Dearborn MI.
sydney crawford, e-mail, 26.01.2017 19:04
My father flew the Ford Tri-Motor for Henry Ford, Vernon "Crazy" Johns. He was his pilot for several years. I believe my husband asked the question about any info back in 2010 but no one responded. I have photos of my dad in front of that plane.
david R, e-mail, 22.05.2016 17:56
About ten years ago I got to ride one of these Ford Tri Motors at the Confederate Air Force Show in El Cajon Ca. During take off we lost the Port (left) engine and you could see the cylinder bouncing around as the bolts holding had stripped out. Oil was streaming out and along the left hand windows where I was sitting in the last seat. The pilot, a retired fellow with white hair, calmly did a series of left turns crosswind, downwind, crosswind with the failed motor still spinning and landed where he had taken off minutes before on the remaining two engines. After everyone was gone I asked the Pilot to sign my Ford Trimotor book I had gotten while working at Ford Aerospace in Newport Beach. After thanking him for the Autograph and for landing us safely I asked him why he did not feather the prop on the Port motor when it failed... He told me, (very quietly) that if he had feathered the prop and declared an emergency, the Tower would have called the FAA and he would be grounded for days during investigations... I hung around a while after my flight and sure enough a mechanic arrived with a new piston and sleeve and he was back up in the air before the sun went down.... That was the last time I flew in ANY airplane... I want to remember my last flight as an exciting one... but live to see another day.... Dave B Spring Valley Ca
Bob Brown, e-mail, 31.01.2016 01:01
In the summer of 1957, I sat Indian Hill fire tower in the Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho, in the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness. Twice, I had smoke jumpers dispatched from Missoula in this plane, and they hiked out via my tower. My first glimpse of the Trimotor was at dawn as it came in from the east. My God, but was it LOUD! As I recall, it could throttle back to 40 knots, and the jumpers really loved it rather than the DC-3. One said it was like stepping off a dock. What a pleasure it was to renew friendship with this plane when I found it at the Pensacola Naval Air Museum.
Jim Reimholz, e-mail, 25.03.2015 02:49
As a seventeen year old, myself and two friends spent some long weekends at Put-in-Bay. We would watch the arrival and departure of the Islands Airline Ford Trimotor island hoppers on the big green lawn in front of the hotel. Two of us decided to take the ride over to Port Clinton one afternoon, an exciting 5 minute ride. We came back in a float plane half hour later. Couldn't have been very expensive because we didn't have much money. Now, 70 years later, I will board one again for a joy ride around the Bay Area via the EAA tour out of San Carlos Airport in May. Check one off my Bucket List!
Tim O'Callaghan, e-mail, 11.02.2015 01:29
In addition to the two Ford models shown there was the first Ford plane - the 2AT a single engine plane powered by a WW I Liberty aircraft engine and several experimental planes including the single seat personal Flivver that set several distance records. For a complete history of Ford aviation see my book THE AVIATION LEGACY OF HENRY AND EDSEL FORD
......
Stearns, e-mail, 04.02.2015 04:47
Flew on the tri motor many times . My grandmother and grandfather. Lived on Middle Bass island . We have had many generations of family on the island. The sound of that plane bring the mail in to the islands every day ,well you just new what was flying over .,it had a great sound. I will always remember it. Last time I rode on it I sat on A gas can in the back .went to North bass island then Rattle snake then on to Put n Bay. What a great day that was. My grandmother rode over with a cow they pushed up the isle . Took it to Northbass island . Only 9 people live there now. We did not know then how lucky we were. It does fly around the islands every 4th of July not sure the cost. But the sound is still the same when it flys over. It's is still the best plane.....
Clem Clement, e-mail, 27.01.2015 18:12
I had a short flight here in the DC area. Engine noise the same for takeoff or cruise. I loved the old bird. Afterward I let the pilots have a ride in my Model A Ford.
Harley A.becknall, e-mail, 11.01.2015 09:57
A plane like this landed in our pasture,forced to land because of fog,20 miles southeast of Bismarck, no. Dak. About. 1948with. Three men aboard.
Sunderajan, e-mail, 08.12.2013 10:04
In the 40s, I was an apprentice with Tata Airlines, Juhu in Bombay. We had three or four Stinson Trimotors. But, i am not sure whether they were the High wing or low wing type. Later they were scrapped and the fuselages were used as beach cabins at Juhu beach.I would like from any pilot who has flown these.
Thomas Bauer, e-mail, 09.10.2012 04:49
Do I ever. Labor Day weekend, 1960. I was three years old. I was with the whole family at Put-In-Bay. I remember the ferry boat ride to the island, then leaving later that day on the trimotor. It was my first plane ride, and my Aunt Alma told me that I was screaming to the pilot to get the plane off the ground! I do remember people looking at me and smiling. We flew back to the mainland and as we landed, the right gear hit a muddy puddle of water which doused the right side of the plane. Once we got out, I walked up to the right wheel and put my hand upon it. I've flown on Island Airline trimotors at least three times since, and consider this aircraft my favorite. I miss them all.
Phil Sattler, e-mail, 25.06.2012 05:40
I have a picture of the Ford Fliver airplace. How can I send it to you?
Richard, e-mail, 12.06.2012 02:20
Thank YOU HENRY FORD, After being discharge from the USAF in 1965 I spent time working on these Tri Motors at Island Air Lines in Port CLinton, Ohio,I beleive these were some of the last ones to being flown..NOW during special events they return and fly passengers aroun the Island in norther Ohio.
Later some years one went down on Put in Bay (I think could have been an another island)
Beverly Stender, e-mail, 28.05.2012 17:09
I am looking for the stewdardess that flew on the first flight for the Ford Tri-Motor Air Plane. I met a lady named Sally that flew as an American Airline stewardess on the Tri-Motor from Detroit to ?? in early 30's. Can you give me more history about her? She married Rex & lives in Texas now. A very interesting lady! Thank you!! Beverly Stender 1550 W. Murphy Lake Road Fostoria, MI 48435
Marge Strausbaugh, e-mail, 08.04.2012 02:02
My Mom was born and raised on South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay, Ohio. When we visited my Grandparents in the winter we had to fly on the "Tin Goose" to get there. I can remember the last time I flew on it was in 1963 when I was 10. We were going to Put-in-Bay for Christmas. My Dad didn't like to fly because he had been in a plane wreck during World War II. He was intrigued though with this plane and would talk about its history. I remember it was really noisy and cold.
Bob Draznik, e-mail, 10.03.2012 23:49
I was born in 1929. When I was 5 years old (probably) a guy came to Wilhelmi Field in Joliet offering rides for fifty cents a piece. It was the middle of the Depression but my Dad was bound and determined to take me up for a ride. I can still bring up the picture of seeing farm fields below as we circled around Joliet, my first airplane ride.
Bob Robertson, e-mail, 10.02.2012 18:47
In the summers of '66 and '67 my wife, baby daughter and I flew on the Island Airline's Ford Tri Motor many times while I was a student at the OSU's Stone Lab located at Put-In-Bay. It was always an exciting ride sitting in wicker seats (I think) and looking out at Lake Erie through scratched and oil soaked plastic windows. It was one of the few planes that could be easily heard even under water while SCUBA diving when it passed low overhead! Several years latter our oldest son rode in the co-pilots seat on one flight between Port Clinton and Put-In-Bay. He might have been 10 or 12 at that time. I understand that plane was latter dammaged while on the ground by high winds. It may have been sold to someone near Mansfield Ohio where we once saw it flying. I used to have a Revelle model of that same plane with "Island Airlines" markings. A wonderful plane!!!
Ken Heuser, e-mail, 17.12.2011 20:13
Jan.1953, Shepard Field Tex. U.S. Air Force, 'Air Craft and engine mechnic school'. First aircraft that I was allowed to work on. We removed all 3 engines. dissembled, inspected and repaired, reassembled and reinstalled the engines. I was then allowed to go on the test flight. The wing on it was updide down from all other aircraft before or since. Was told this was so it would be able to take off on shorter fields. On take off you could not hear any thing. Not from the engines but from the tin on the boddy. Because of this it was called, 'The tim lizzy'. Thoes were the days.
wiliamezikeil, e-mail, 29.06.2011 11:23
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wiliamezikeil, e-mail, 29.06.2011 11:22
Dear sir,
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Why we are most interest in selling for you is because we have special interest in commodities, if we come into agreement we can exchange diamond stones with this commodities like., SUGAR / RICE/ TOMATO PASTE/ MILK POWDER / YELLOW CORN/ WHEAT / WHEAT FLOWER / SOYBEAN MEAL,
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Klaatu, e-mail, 26.06.2011 16:00
It's somewhat surprising that all the editors could manage to come up with about the famous and highly successful "Tin Goose" was, "There is no text information for this aircraft at the moment."
Introduced in 1926. 199 built. Used by 100 airlines, as well as the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and RCAF. I believe that several are still actually flying.
neiyi, 21.06.2011 06:31
It was the smoothest takeoff and landing I have ever experienced. Also the noisiest ride ever, too!
Bob White, e-mail, 22.05.2011 06:51
Back in either 88 or 89 I had occasion to take a ride in what at the time was the only Tri Motor in flying condition. It was owned and flown by a man whose name was Al Cheney if memory serves me correctly. I paid $35 for about a 45 min flight out over Lake Okeechobie and the surrounding cattle ranches. Also, if my memory can be trusted, Mr. Cheney told me some of the history of that particular aircraft. It had been used as a mail plane and school bus from the Cleveland ares serving some of the islands out in the Lake. He also said at the time that this particular aircraft was the only one that Henry Ford had actually flown in.
KD, e-mail, 14.05.2011 03:44
June 23-26, 2011 Fly the fully restored Ford Tri-Motor, owned by EAA, at Historic Lunken Airfield in Cincinnati, Ohio. Flights are $60 per seat with the cockpit right seat available for $100.
william muttera, e-mail, 09.02.2011 23:06
Sometime in the 60's i was flying a company Cessna 310 and was sitting on the ramp at Worcester Mass. American Airlines Ford Tri Motor was settine across the ramp. They were hopping local business men to promote the introduction of their Boeing 727. The captain saw me and asked if I wanted to ride, of course I did. Airborn he asked if I would like to fly it. I was allowed to fly it for about 10 minutes and I remember it was heavy on the controls and to bring the wing up out of a turn required aileron and rudder both. I will always be greatful to that airline captain. Later I was lucky to be in LaGuardia when they parked it next ot the first 727 in service. Still later it was placed in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington. Just think how neat it was for me to point to it and tell my son's, I flew that airplane. American Airlines sure picked the right captain for the PR tour. He later told me that they found it in a garbage dump in Mexico, discovered it was one of their aircraft years before and decided to rebuild it for the PR tour. I will always remember the kindness of that captain.
Raymond Bowman, e-mail, 30.01.2011 04:54
My first airplane flight was in a tri-motor Ford at the Ohio State Fair in the late 1930's. I am 88 years old now but it was a great experience I will always remember.
Hank Brodersen, e-mail, 23.01.2011 07:04
I was a smokejumper in Missoula, MT in 1954 and 1955. I made several jumps from the Tri-motor, including my first jump. I was #2 in the stick and after #1 left, I moved up and put my foot out the door to get it into the step but the slipstream kept moving my foot aside. It took several attempts before I finally got it and jumped.
Despite that little episode, I loved jumping from the Ford because of its stability and slow speed. It was the perfect airplane for mountain flying and getting in and out of some pretty wild and primitive airstrips.
The Tri-motor in the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL is one of Johnson Flying Service's aircraft that was used to fly smokejumpers around back in the 1950's and 1960's. I had the museum folks research its history and found out I actually jumped from it. It's a great feeling to be a part of aviation history!
Tom, e-mail, 13.01.2011 01:49
The Ford Tri-Motor was used for many years by Island Airlines. It flew between Port Clinton, Ohio and the lake Erie Islands. The owner was Chuck Dietrick and the chief pilot was Newell Whitty. I think I have a picture of one being re-fueled.
Earl Buck, e-mail, 27.11.2010 23:18
I saw one of these airplanes at OwlsPort,Maine several years ago,would not take us for aride because of lack of insurance.Plane was in excellent condition.I thought they told us that this plane carrid mail in South America.
Earl Buck, e-mail, 27.11.2010 23:18
I saw one of these airplanes at OwlsPort,Maine several years ago,would not take us for aride because of lack of insurance.Plane was in excellent condition.I thought they told us that this plane carrid mail in South America.
Herb Fischer, e-mail, 20.11.2010 03:03
I was a Smokejumper in the U.S. Forest Service in the 50's and 60's and went on to fly over 30,000 hours in 50 years for the USAF, Pan Am, United and Netjets. I made my first jump out of a Ford piloted by Bob Johnson in 1957.
The Ford was a great airplane for back country jumping (unless you were #2 in the stick and were trying to hit that little step).
I'm pretty sure the Naval Museum Ford is one of Johnson's and I know that the one in Kalamazoo was a dataplate restoration of one that crashed at Moose Creek Ranger Station in Idaho in 1959, killing two jumpers.
It is impossible to forget the feeling of gloved fingers rippling down the corrugated skin as you positioned to jump out of the Ford!
How fortunate can a person be! My career went from Jumping a Ford in 1957 to 777 Captian in 1997! And then 10 years in a Falcon 2000!
N. Barth, e-mail, 19.11.2010 05:50
I flew in a Tri in 1933 that had landed in a hay field south of Urich, Mo. to give rides over town. That was the start of my aviation desire. I still remember seeing that barbwire fence a few feet below the wheels on take-off.
Ron Crawford, e-mail, 05.11.2010 19:54
Does anyone remember a pilot that flew for Henry Ford in the Thirties named Vernon "Crazy" Johns? The "Crazy" nickname came from his barnstorming days. Any info?
Jimmy L. Steeley, e-mail, 29.10.2010 01:49
I had the pleasure to have flown is one of these aircraft a number of years ago at the "Fun n' Sun" airshow at Lakeland, Fl. It was a real thrill. Jim Steeley
Dennis McMahon, e-mail, 23.10.2010 15:36
I flew on a tri motor Ford in 1940 and 1941 in Nicaragua from Puerto Cabezes to Siuna as my dad worked for the mining company there. My sister and I flew to Alamacamba for a visit and my sister was air sick. I rember we got off the plane and stood and watched to see who would carry the the soiled sack of cement. Yes; there were no seats as this plane was hauling frieght. 50 pound bags of cement and we sat on these. My mother was catching a tri-motor Ford plane to Panama one day and we watched the plane land. It had lost about half of its speed when I heard the pilot gun the left wing engine but the plane turned 90 degrees and ran into the sie of the hill. A local woman had 2 broken ribs and climbed out of the plane crying "Carumba Momita aye yie." That plane was parked on the edge of the field and I learned the basics of flying by exploring it a few times. The control wires were in plain sight. I was seven years old at the time. I didn't get my wings until sixteen years later.
RAFAEL FERRANDIZ, e-mail, 01.10.2010 17:22
My father was first mechanic, then radiotelegrafist on the Trimotor Ford NM-22 Cia. Nacional Cubana de Aviacion, today preserved at the San Diego Aerospace Museum, California as N9637. I was deeply surprised when I found on the internet that this plane is kept in it. I have pictures of the plane in the 1940's as NM-22. I Would like to visit some day the Museum. Rafael.
Tom Creekmore, e-mail, 28.09.2010 18:38
Slim Carmichael was flying a Pennsylvania Central Airlines Ford Tri-motor out of Hoover Field, Washington, D. C. (where the Penegon is now located)when he lost two engines. He returned to Hoover Field and landed safely. He was awarded the Congressional Metal of Honor. Slim was leter President of Pennsylvinia Central Airlines (Capital Airlines)
Jacob Libby, e-mail, 20.09.2010 04:20
Great airplane! It had a LOT to do with many of the operations that airlines still continue to practice. I got my type rating in a Ford Trimotor a few months ago. Anyone interested in adding FO-5 to their pilot certificate just send me an email note.
Bob Lauber, e-mail, 05.09.2010 17:21
My grandfather took me as passangers in a 1926 Tri-motor at hhe Fairfax airport in Kansas City, Kansas when I was 9 years old. I'm 83 now and I remember it had whicker seats and it was a great thrill.
L. Howard, e-mail, 31.08.2010 06:48
My Dad was at the CCC camp in Montrose, Colorado, in the late 1930's when a Ford Tri-motor landed with engine trouble. He helped the pilot make the repairs, then the pilot took him for a ride over the Rockies. That was Dad's first airplane ride. On July 4, 1965, a Tri-motor licensed to American Airlines was in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on a barnstorming publicity tour on the way to the Smithsonian A&S Museum. Dad told the pilot about his one flight back before the war, and the pilot arranged for Dad, one of my best friends, and me to go for a ride. About 28 years after my Dad's first flight, my first flight was in the same make/model of plane. Dad often thought that it might have been the very same plane! It was still a very impressive plane, even after being in service for nearly 40 years at the time. It was the smoothest takeoff and landing I have ever experienced. Also the noisiest ride ever, too!
Frank Lee, e-mail, 31.03.2010 01:48
I flew B-29's in the Korean War and my bombardier was "Tiny" Stout. He told me his father had been the main aeronautical engineer behind the design and building of the Ford Trimotor . "Tiny" had several degrees and was a designer and builder of race cars in civilian life.
TK, 11.03.2010 23:28
The AirZoo in Kalamazoo Michigan has one. Back in '89 they were flying arial tours around Kalamazoo. If I remember correctly it cost $50/person. It is actually the first plane I ever flew on. See website for Kalamazoo AirZoo. http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?menu_id=26. Off hand I am not sure if they still use it for flying tours or not.
Phil Veatch, e-mail, 07.02.2010 12:35
You can see a Ford Trimotor in the National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, FL.
bob katkic, e-mail, 02.02.2010 08:43
WE USED TO FLY TO THE ISLANDS FROM PORT CLINTON TO GO ICE FISHING IN THE WINTER COST WAS $5.00 I WAS A KID THEN SURE BRINGS BACK SOME GREAT MEMORIES
walt jashienski, e-mail, 26.01.2010 17:14
years ago late 60s I fished Lake Erie around the islands once in a while we would see a Tri motor fly from Catawba Is to SB island EAA50 TIN GOOSE had it at the air port for a fly in over July 4 I took a ride in it VERY AWSEMONE
Don, e-mail, 08.01.2010 21:32
The last Ford Trimotor I saw was taking off from Port Au Prince, Haiti. It was about 1969, and it was a military plane, I believe, as the Haitian military transported passengers to three or four other "airfields" on the island at that time.
sidney glaser, e-mail, 14.07.2009 16:43
My first recollection of the Ford Tri-motor was as a small child in the early 1930's in Honduras where I referred to them as "tin planes," because their corrugated fuselages looked like the tin roofs of the houses in La Ceiba and San Pedro Sula.
In March 1944 I made my first flight in a TACA Airlines Tri-Motor from Bluefields, Ncaragua to Managua, Nic. From Managua I continued on to Miami on a TACA Lockheed Lodestar.
As a kid I would go to the airfield in Bluefields to fly kites and I still remember how awestruck I was watching those magnificent birds land and take off. Bluefields was a stop (twice weekly) from Managua and on to either Puerto Cabezas or the gold mines of La Luz, Siuna, or Alamicamba.
It is said that people remember with fondness their first kiss, their first love, and their first car. I believe the first airplane ride has to be right up there with the rest. Since that time I have taken over 700 commercial flights and I still remember that first one in the Tri-Motor as the most special.
Abi, e-mail, 03.06.2009 17:23
Its a really neat airplane!
Ronald Denz, e-mail, 29.04.2009 21:22
N.A.T. had a few of these in service in the early 1930's. They have used one for sightseeing out of Chicago Municipal Airport (now Midway) at that time. I have several photos. Stinson made a tri as well that United used a bit later.
H. Robert Case, e-mail, 21.04.2009 01:39
I was seven years old in 1936 when I first flew in an airplane. It was Ford Tri-Motor from Denver to Cheyenne. It was a very memorable flight with thunderclouds and lightning all over the sky. No wonder the plane was not hit by a lightning! Whew!
DJ Blythe, e-mail, 12.02.2009 16:43
Bytes of Tri-Motor Trivia... Kinda back in the day... 1979 TWA flew one into INDy airport on the 50th anniversary of TAT's original route. I believe the ship was the one owned by Bill Harrah, of Harrah's Cassino @ Reno Nv. It was impressively restored as all of Bill's aircraft & autos in his collection located at Sparks Nv. I heard via the A/C grapevine that the ship was damaged a few years later when it made a hard landing after an aborted take off. I HOPE it was repaired, & returned to display. Does anyone know how this story turned out, & where the Tri-Motor is now? Thanks DJ
Hoyle G. Long, e-mail, 27.12.2008 03:44
I flew in a Ford Tri-motor in the early thirties. I remember the control cables running out in the open thru the cabin area and curtains separating the pilots from the passengers. This particular plane was owned by a barnstormer, flying out of a cowpasture, charging three bucks for a trip over town. The field is near my home and each time I passby and note how short the field is with treeline on each end I can't believe it.
Edson Waite, e-mail, 05.07.2008 05:03
I took my grandson for a ride in a Ford Tri-Motor on June 28, 2008, flying from the Dayton Wright Brothers Airport, Dayton Ohio. This particular aircraft was the 126th Tri-Motor built by Ford (NC8407) and was one of two that were used to start Eastern Airlines. This plane was used in the Jerry Lewis movie "The Family Jewels". It was also used as a crop duster, and as a "Smoke Jumper" aircraft. My grandson and I very much enjoyed the flight over Dayton and its suburbs.
Karl Moore, e-mail, 02.06.2008 10:29
When I was 6 days old (April 21, 1929) a Fokker Trimotor and an Army Air Corps Boeing PW9 collided over San Diego and crashed close behind my house. My father and grandfather were among the first to get to the crash. For years my family had relics of the crash. The Trimotor was an airliner of Maddux Air Lines which later became part of TWA. There were no survivors of the crash.....6 on the trimotor plus the pilot of the Army fighter.
EDWARD MATE, e-mail, 31.05.2008 23:20
In the summer of 1968 My family, wife and four kids were at the same Rockford,IL Air Show that Rosie Head (re:see Fokker quad plane)was killed at. We all went up in a Ford Trimotor. The youngest Marzie was still in the hanger, coming out in December. Adults paid five bucks the kids flew free. Nearly all of the kids built model airplanes, my present hobby.
Frank Regan, e-mail, 28.05.2008 17:52
I flew in a Ford Trimotor about two years ago with my two grandsons. While an undergrduate student at MIT my prof of design was one Otto Koppen (got his intsturment rating at 80 years of age). Koppen was one of the designers of the TriMotor; he told as how with the demise of the Fokker TriMotor (death of Knute Rockne) Koppen and fellow engieers at Ford secretely got access to a Fokker and made detailed measurements (wing span, length, airfoil etc.) and reproduced this airplane in aluminum. Koppen was also the designer of the heliocourier airplane.
Greg Gill, e-mail, 01.01.2008 06:36
There was one of these that flew passengers out to the Catawba Islands in Lake Erie from Sandusky, Ohio up until the early 1970's.
Luis M. Moreno, e-mail, 04.04.2007 20:01
Fue y sigue siendo un avión excepcional que dio un grán avance a la aviación comercial.
Como piloto me habria gustado pilotarlo. Por lo que he leido es un noble aparato.
