The Ford Trimotor (also called the “Tri-Motor”, and nicknamed “The Tin Goose”) is an American three-engined transport aircraft. Production started in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and ended on June 7, 1933. A total of 199 Ford Trimotors were made.

Airworthy

N1077 (4-AT-B) N9610 (4-AT-B) N9612 (4-AT-E) N8407 (4-AT-E) N9645 (5-AT-B) N9651 (5-AT-B) N8419 (5-AT-C) N414H (5-AT-C) N9667 (5-AT-B)

Golden Wings Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA Dee Winston, Lufkin, Texas, USA Chandler Stellar Air Park, Chandler, Arizona, USA EAA AirVenture Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA Liberty Aviation Museum, Erie-Ottawa IAP, Port Clinton, Ohio, USA Kermit Weeks. Fantasy of Flight, Polk City, Florida, USA Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Sopwith, Ltd., Valle Airport, Valle, Arizona, USA “Tin Goose Chapter”, Liberty Aviation Museum, Port Clinton, Ohio, USA

On static display

NX4542 (4-AT-B) N7861 (4-AT-B) N9637 (5-AT-B) N9683 (5-AT-B) RAAF (5-AT-C)

Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, Michigan, USA National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida, USA San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego, California, USA Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. USA National Museum, National Museum, Papua, New Guinea

Under restoration

N7584 (4-AT-B) N9642 (4-AT-E) N8400 (4-AT-E) N8403 (4-AT-E)

Kermit Weeks, Vicksburg, Michigan, USA – Vicksburg, Michigan, USA – Vicksburg, Michigan, USA Golden Wings Museum, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

The Ford Trimotor, also known as the “Tin Goose,” is a pioneering American passenger and cargo aircraft produced by the Ford Motor Company between 1925 and 1933. It played a crucial role in early commercial aviation, and its rugged design made it suitable for a variety of roles, including military transport, exploration, and air mail service.

Key Features and Design:

1. Three Engines: The aircraft had a distinctive design with three engines—one on each wing and one on the nose. This provided greater power and reliability than earlier single-engine planes, making it safer for long-distance travel.
2. All-Metal Construction: The Ford Trimotor was one of the first all-metal aircraft. Its corrugated aluminum fuselage and wings were designed to be durable and easy to maintain, a significant innovation at the time.
3. Capacity: It could carry up to 12 passengers or a comparable amount of cargo, depending on the model. The cabin was simple but comfortable for early airline travel, with large windows offering passengers a good view.
4. Short Takeoff and Landing: The Trimotor’s design allowed it to operate from short and rough airfields, which made it ideal for routes where infrastructure was still developing.
5. Specifications:
   • Wingspan: About 74 feet (22.66 meters)
   • Length: Around 50 feet (15.2 meters)
   • Range: Approximately 500 miles (805 kilometers)
   • Cruising Speed: About 90 mph (145 km/h)
   • Engines: Typically powered by Wright R-975 or Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines, with around 400 horsepower each.

Notable Uses and History:

1. Commercial Air Travel: The Ford Trimotor was one of the first planes used by the early commercial airline industry, particularly by Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT), which later became part of TWA. The Trimotor helped establish the first coast-to-coast airline service in the U.S.
2. Air Mail Service: The Trimotor was also used extensively for U.S. air mail routes, carrying both passengers and cargo.
3. Exploration and Military Service: Its durability and versatility made the Trimotor ideal for exploration and military use. For example, it was used in Admiral Richard Byrd’s Antarctic expeditions in the late 1920s and 1930s. Several Trimotors were also used by the U.S. Army and Navy for transport purposes.
4. Global Reach: Beyond the U.S., the Ford Trimotor was exported to various countries and operated in diverse environments, from desert to jungle. It saw service in Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

Legacy and Cultural Impact:

• Icon of Early Aviation: The Trimotor’s reliability and versatility helped shape the future of air travel, earning it a place as an iconic early aircraft in the history of aviation. It demonstrated the viability of commercial air travel to a skeptical public and laid the groundwork for future airline development.
• Surviving Aircraft: Several Trimotors remain airworthy and are often seen at airshows and museums. A few are still operated by enthusiasts for nostalgia flights, allowing passengers to experience flying in this historic aircraft.
• Influence on Later Designs: Although it was eventually eclipsed by more advanced planes, the Trimotor’s all-metal construction and use of multiple engines influenced future aircraft design.

The Ford Trimotor is an aviation milestone, remembered for its role in the early days of commercial aviation and exploration.

Photo Tom Warnick