Two '29 Fords - a truck and a plane!

[TomW]

Last weekend I had the opportunity to see and take a ride in a 1929 Ford Tri-motor plane. They let me drive the truck out by the plane for a photo! Very nice folks. Very memorable flight. We flew at 1000 feet, at about 80mph. It has nice big windows for a great view. We sat in the first seats behind the cockpit. Engine revs were about 1750 during the flight, about 500 for taxiing.

[TinCup]

That bad boy came to Oklahoma City this summer and what a great time we had seeing this magnificent plane. Did you notice the Model A headlight lenses on the landing lights.

[ctlikon0712]

That is fantastic! Where in SW Florida are you?

[Steve Plucker]

How many Tri-Motors were made and how many are alive today?

Great phoots.

Pluck

[TomW]

There were 199 made from 1926 - 33. I asked about survivors, and they told me they thought about a dozen were still flying.. Not bad for a plane over 80 years old. They were one of the first all metal planes, which probably accounts for their durability.

[Tom Wesenberg]

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I was lucky enough to have my neighbor buy me a ticket for the co-pilot's seat in exchange for some mechanic work. It was a great experience, and I'd recommend everyone to take a ride if the plane comes to an airport near you.

BTW, to check oil pressure on the outboard engines you have to look out the windows left and right because the oil gauge is mounted on the engine.

[Ron/IA]

There was an article in one of the National magazines this past year about the TriMotor Ford airplane. In that article it stated there were 199 built (as stated above), and that 8 are still in existence.

[jm29henry]

That looks and sounds like so much fun ,your a lucky man.

[eagle]

Wow! Looks like fun. Some of those old planes are an engineering feat in my book. Never ridden in one though. I did ride in an original Pietenpol built by the original designer. That was the best plane ride I've ever had.

[Paul's Garage]

I have been told that Hitler stole the plans and the German Military buildt and used them allot!

[mccsix]

RR-5 Tri-Motor

One of the most successful aircraft in history, the famed Ford Tri-Motor was used by more than 100 airlines worldwide, and many operated for more than a half century. Nine Tri-Motors, in five different models, were operated by the Navy and Marine Corps between 1927 and 1935. Designated RR-2 through 5 by the Navy, the first example was ordered in March 1927.
Derived from designs by William B. Stout, the famous Ford Tri-Motor came into being following Henry Ford's purchase of the Stout Aircraft Company. Designated the 4-AT, the design followed an earlier, unsuccessful aircraft, the 3-AT, which engineers Harold Hicks and Tom Towle reworked to produce the iconic aircraft. The resulting Tri-Motor went from the drawing boards to flight in just over four months, its first flight in June 1926.
The Navy became interested in the aircraft as a potential transport or cargo carrier, ordering a single example of the 4-AT-A in March 1927. Designated XJR-1 the aircraft was tested in 1928 and served until retired in 1930. Meanwhile, improvements were being made so rapidly that it was said that no two Tri-Motors were the same. Two 4-AT-Es were purchased in 1929. Designated JR-2s, they were assigned to the Marines and were powered by three 300 horsepower Wright J6-9 engines rather than the original 200 horsepower J-4 engines of the prototype, giving them improved performance. In 1930, three JR-3s, with enlarged wings and Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines were purchased, one for the Navy and the other two for the Marines. Shortly after, the aircraft were redesignated RR-2 and RR-3. A single Model 5-AT-C was later purchased and designated RR-4. Finally, two Model 4-AT-Ds were acquired, one each for the Navy and Marines, and designated RR-5s.
While very useful to the Navy and Marine Corps, the Tri-Motor is best known for its contribution to the growth of U.S. commercial aviation. It, and the Curtiss-Wright Condor, made commercial airlines practical and profitable a decade before the advent of Douglas' DC series or the Boeing 247.
Related Articles

• Tri-Motor in Detail
• Tri-Motor on Display

Specifications

Manufacturer:Ford Motor Company, Aircraft DivisionType:Transport/cargoCrew:Two crew and up to 15 passengersPowerplant:Three 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-88 radialsDimensions:Length: 50 ft., 3 in.
Height: 13 ft., 6 in.
Wingspan: 77 ft., 10 in.
Wing Area: 835 sq. ft.
Weight:Empty: 8,149 lb.
Gross: 13,499 lb.
Performance:Max Speed: 135 mph at sea level
Cruise Speed: 122 mph
Climb Rate: 8,000 ft. in 10 min.
Ceiling: 18,000 ft.
Range: 505 miles


This one is on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation aboard NAS Pensacola. A must see "touch 'em museum" with tremenous coverage of WWl and WWll aircraft.