Flying the Ford

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Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 9:01 pm

I've always wanted to go up in a Ford Tri-Motor, the first commercial passenger airplane. I finally had my chance today. My wife and I went to Napa to take a very exciting short flight in a 1929 Tri-Motor (that's one year newer than my Ford sedan).

Aluminum skin for minimum weight, corrugated for strength, three radial engines, 9 passenger seats.

In 1930 TAT used them for transcontinental service, except it was quite an ordeal, and combined train and air travel. Passengers would start in NYC in an overnight Pullman car, then transfer to a Tri-Motor in Port Columbus, OH for a very long and noisy day in the air. Before nightfall they'd land in Waynoka, OK and hop on another train for an overnight ride to Clovis, NM to board another Tri-Motor which would carry them to Glendale, CA (just outside of LA).

Even after a half-hour in one of these I was going deaf from the noise. I imagine that 8 hours could lead to motion sickness since it's not exactly smooth.

Sleek lines:

Nicely appointed interior:

Spacious seating (not):

Napa, we have lift off:

LOTS of vineyards (duh, of course):

Just about to touch down:

It was a great experience. Not as fun as a B-17 or B-24 but a hell of a lot less expensive, and certainly the oldest airplane I will ever fly in. Hard to believe it's 86 years old, and has been in near-constant service.

(I don't know why these pics look so crappy. The originals are sharp. Photobucket must be screwing them up.)

Posted: Fri May 22, 2015 9:10 pm

That looks like an amazing experience. Plus you've given me the excuse to blame all of my crappy Photographs on PhotoBucket (even though we know it is probably the photographer).

*** BANNED *** Joined: 26 Jul 2012 Posts: 1116

Very cool!

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Quote:

I don't know why these pics look so crappy.

Satan?

Very neat pictures, Juan! Looks like a lot of fun. Very Happy

Posted: Sat May 23, 2015 3:33 am

oscarpiles wrote:

The photographer

I'll have you know I am an official National Geographic photographer. (Actually true. They paid me an astonishing amount of money for a picture about 10 years ago and I had to fill out forms to be logged into their database.)

But seriously, my originals are fine. Let's try again

EDIT: crap, that sucks too. I do blame Photobucket. My original is completely sharp. ?????

05/29/15

Ohhhhhhh, what great, great fun -- so glad that you both got to participate !!!

Well, notwithstanding your photography malfunctions, I would have to say that that must have been one of the neatest experiences of your whole entire life!!!
And honestly, Juan, the pix ain't really all that bad! Laughing

We are checking out a ride in an open-cockpit biplane for my youngest teen stepson's upcoming birthday. There are actually several of those outfits in our
state, as well as a speedway where you can get a ride in a race car right on the track!