Just a thought....

[1930artdeco]

I was reading the article on the ford tri motor in the latest issue of the Restorer and a thought cam e to mind. The fact that there are more tri-motors flying than WWII Bombers (17,24's) And these aircraft are 10+ yrs older.

I understand that bombers are military grade and not used for much else. It was just a thought that these aircraft must be pretty dang good to be around for this long and still doing there jobs.

Mike

[Tom Wesenberg]

My neighbor bought my a flight in the co-pilot's seat a couple years ago. If you ever get the chance to fly in one, don't pass it up.

Just like the Model A's, they look good and are well built and reliable. The oil pressure gauges are on the engines, so you have to look left and right out the side windows to check oil pressure on the wing engines.

[rosenkranswa]

No doubt about it, the trimotor was a very good airplane. But remember, very few WWII aircraft survived the end of the war when most were cut up for scrap. The trimotors that were around at the end of the war survived the wartime scrap drives because they were doing useful work, though obsolete by 40's standards, and most of the newer stuff was going oversees. Also, if you really add up all the WWII multis, not just heavy's but including the mediums and troop carriers, there are probably quite a few more around than trimotors.

I've ridden in both a trimotor and B-17, and wouldn't trade either experience for anything.

[Roadster62]

So what is the total number of air worthy Ford Tri Motors?

[Aerocraft]

Ease of manufacture is on the side of the Tri-Motor over such other big airplanes as the B-17. There have been a number of Ford Tri-Motors practically built from scratch in the somewhat recent past. There is a very talented group of aircraft mechanics near Kalamazoo that could make a new one for someone with very deep pockets. Although expensive the P&W R-985 engines are easily available with a fresh overhaul on the market.

Gar Williams

[Ron in Quincy]

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Holloway Engineering here in Quincy only rebuilds Radial engines; he has done two Tri-Motors R-985 engines for a Aircraft Museum in Southern California.

Ron

[1930artdeco]

If I remember correctly the article said there were 10 flyers and 8 in museums. It is hard to convert a bomber to civilian use, but it can be done. I am also sure the tri-motor probably gets better gas mileage so to speak.

Mike

[dave in australia]

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

If I remember correctly the article said there were 10 flyers and 8 in museums. It is hard to convert a bomber to civilian use, but it can be done. I am also sure the tri-motor probably gets better gas mileage so to speak.

Mike

Also, why go to the expense of a conversion, when there were many surplus DC-3/C-47's around after WWII.