Ford Trimotor Assembly Line and Test Flights; Ford's Airplane

[@azscratchers8596]

I've flown right seat as copilot on N414H. Takeoff at 90 Flies at 90 and lands at 90. Flying it is like driving a semi truck with no power steering. Unforgettable experience. 🙂

[@AModelA]

We've never had the fortune of being able to take a flight in one but it is on the bucket list for sure. We've also heard that if you're going to fly in it you're going to want to be in that front seat. Thanks for watching!

[@baldyivy8982]

I think I had a ride with you if you piloted it from valley airport years ago

[@azscratchers8596]

@@baldyivy8982 Unless it was at Valle in 2007, doubt you were on it. That was my only flight, My brother was in the left seat, I was in the right.

[@dennisdavidek6694]

Regardless of any naysaying, that loop was impressive.

[@bigstuff52]

Close to the ground too...

[@elosogonzalez8739]

This footage is from later production of the Ford 5-AT. I wish it was earlier in production, but still very rare footage. I've been inside a Ford Tri-Motor but didn't get to fly on that occasion. It is on my list of things I want to do. There are several being restored today. As big as the Tri-Motor is, you can only imagine how difficult and time consuming it is to rebuild. Elsewhere On KZbin, I follow a man who has is own channel (Kermit Weeks). He is an amazing man who is doing more that his part to save as many Vintage and Warbird aircraft. Check out his channel for more footage of the two Fords he is having rebuilt. One was acquired from a man who recovered from a Central American jungle (Nicaragua as I recall) and the other that was virtually destroyed in Hurricane Andrew(1992). Another great video!

[@johnvaluk1401]

Port Clinton Ohio airport museum they have a flying tri motor and are in the process of restoring one along with a WW2 PT boat

[@darrellhagan6124]

Hmm......That one from the Central American jungle was probably recovered from right where Indiana Jones crashed it! :)

[@SamhainBe]

Trimotor pulling a loop - truly a pilot with brass ones! The Ford Trimotor was a true "Ford" from its ease of maintenance to its agricultural/industrial look - Beautiful!

[@chrisworthen1538]

Low level too!

[@AModelA]

Even the low quality film of the era still made our stomach drop watching that bit. The guts on those guys is immeasurable. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@SamhainBe]

@@AModelA Thank you for posting the video!

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Industrial; yes. Beautiful; NO.

[@williamstel9330]

I believe that my grandfather worked there in 1923 as an assistant superintendent. I have an owners manual for one. And some pictures of one with pontoons and with my grandfather being lowered into the Great Lake.

[@AModelA]

Very cool family story!

[@proudvirginian]

That gantry camera giving the continuous view from the top was so cool on terms of what it showed.

[@AModelA]

We thought so too! The original film is pretty shaky so we had to do some work to stabilize the footage and put it at the right speed so that it was easier to watch. Thanks again for watching and commenting!

[@OnerousEthic]

My grandfather, Robert E Houston, was an executive at the Ford Trimotor plant, and was the first person to eat airline food, when he supervised the first commercial airline service between Detroit and, Chicago, and Cleveland.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

What happened to the Ford aviation business post WW2? Was that the idea of the new leadership post Henry? Did it get bought by another firm?

[@AModelA]

Very cool family history! Thanks for watching.

[@OnerousEthic]

@@WALTERBROADDUS imho the trimotor was a piece of junk, and no doubt a colossal financial disaster. They had enough automotive business…

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@OnerousEthic their experience and Industrial capacity was not wasted. Ford was a major Aviation contractor during the war.

[@OnerousEthic]

@@WALTERBROADDUS yes. When Ford got the contract to build bombers, my grandfather took a sheet of paper and laid out the master plan for the massive Willow Run assembly plant. He designed it around existing infrastructure to save money. Then he was #4 (senior manager) on the production line. At peak production they were delivering 24 bombers every 24 hours.

[@williamstel9330]

Part of the reason that the cord of the wing is so thick is for the aircraft to have a real low stall speed ( the speed where the aircraft drops out of the sky. The reason is that Horsepower was low for the size of aircraft and the weight that it could carry. So the stall speed is probably 30 or 35 mph and the cruise speed is probably 90 mph. But with such a thick wing, it's easy to fly.

[@AModelA]

That's interesting info. Thanks for sharing.

[@markp.7478]

I've seen several (at least 3) Ford Trimotors at different aviation museums. As I was watching the video, an interesting thought came to mind... there is a chance that one of the planes I've seen was in this video. Kind of a cool thought...

[@AModelA]

We've had that same thought looking at all the Ford production films we've seen. Thanks for watching!

[@williamstel9330]

Besides an owners manual, i also have a seat out of the first California flight, and my grandfather Russell William Bill Hull also gave one of the seats to his older brother Cliff Hull in Port Huron, Michigan. When i last saw, it was in better shape than mine. I have a picture of my mom sitting in the chair when she was three in about 1936.

[@redblack8414]

Thank you for posting. Really interesting.👍

[@AModelA]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertwieland5958]

I wonder how long the sprayer lasted without a mask.

[@grantberardi5080]

I was fortunate enough to go up in one in March,2018 in North Little Rock, Ar. Tail no. NCB407. This plane was used in the filming of "Dillinger" with Johnny Depp. Best 75 bucks I've ever spent!

[@AModelA]

We owe a lot to the men like your Great Grandfather who built America. Thanks for watching!

[@rcktnut4397]

Thanks for bringning this to us!

[@AModelA]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@paulhelman2376]

We used have a great annual model airplane contest at that site which was Ford Airpoert and became the Ford Test Track.

[@paulhelman2376]

William B Stout who 's designs evolved into the Ford Trimotor was the technical advisor to our Illinois Model Aeroclub back before WW1.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

That loop so close to the ground at 9:15 was an exceedingly dangerous thing to do. I suspect you'd lose your license for doing that today.

[@AModelA]

I'd lose my lunch! Thanks for watching.

[@PRH123]

Depends where you did the loop. If over an airfield as authorized aerobatic or exhibition flight, no problem, at your own risk. If over a populated area yes you’d get hit for low flying (not for looping per se). If out in the country away from controlled airspace and populated areas, loop all you want, at your own risk. The aircraft should be ideally certified for aerobatic stresses, but no one is going to be checking that. What’s amazing in this video is that he ends the loop higher than where he starts it. Had no idea a trimotor was capable of that kind of flight.

[@Hippy-l1e]

I was fortunate enough to take a ride in one!

[@AModelA]

That's a great experience. Thanks for watching!

[@WAL_DC-6B]

I just witnessed a Ford trimotor flying over my neighborhood (Cary, IL) a few days ago. I suspect it was flying back to its base after participating at the EAA's Airventure 2024 at Oshkosh, WI. The only disappointment was that there was some teenage kid walking on the sidewalk, looking at his smartphone and he failed to look up just once at the vintage airliner with its unique radial engine sound as it flew overhead.

[@AModelA]

That must have been quite a sight to see a Tri-Motor in the air! Thanks for watching.

[@jamesonpace726]

Astounding. Never do I hear engines above & not look up immediately, but hey, the times, they have a-changed....

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@@jamesonpace726 Yeah, sigh, I also remember riding behind the Canadian Pacific's 2816 Hudson type (4-6-4) steam locomotive from Milwaukee's Union Station to Chicago's Union Station. When the train arrived in Chicago and was backing out pushing the train it was slowly chugging with its huge drive wheels turning. There was a young, attractive, well-dressed woman in her mid 20s who didn't make one glance at the 1930 built steam engine as she walked along the platform to the station itself. NUTS!

[@PRH123]

Had a similar experience in Germany a few years back, walking through a park to the office, suddenly low and slow right over me flew a JU-52. Turns out they were giving regular sightseeing flights from the airport, and I was treated to a couple of days of watching it from time to time fly past from my hotel room window.

[@flynlr]

the ambassador bridge at 11:24 still under construction. the new Gordie Howe bridge should be opening up in about a year or so.

[@AModelA]

Is one able to do a Gordie Howe hat-trick on the new bridge? Thanks for watching!

[@waldopepper1]

Very cool to see a part of aviation history. Nice video!

[@AModelA]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

This is very cool. I grew up in Dearborn where life was about cars, and everything was Ford. My, how things have changed.

[@AModelA]

Dearborn is a great place to drive around and just see the ghosts of the auto-industry. Thanks for watching!

[@Jumbojetfueler]

Love ya...I grew up in Royal Oak.

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

@@Jumbojetfueler Dad owned a shop there. Right by the old Oak Drive In Movie theater, and not far from the old Bolero Bowling Alley.

[@Jumbojetfueler]

The oak drive in was located at Coolidge & normandy, rays ice cream across the street. Around 1973 i had a 63 ford galaxy, and the four of us went to the oak drive in on night...because money was tight, i put my date (gloria) in the trunk of the 63 so we could save a few bucks, once in i looked around and opened the trunk. I'm laughing as i type this

[@Peace2U-ec6es]

@@Jumbojetfueler Did the same with my uncle's 1968 Electra 225! Those were the days my friend.

[@beans100]

No flaps ! You just zoom up the runway & she takes off. Ford knew a thing or two about mass production. A wonderfully restored & preserved film ! Interesting accompaniment choice at the beginning -- could it be "Minnie the Moocher" ?

[@blackcongas8827]

The kid at 11:30 has a Moe Howard bowl cut.

[@adoreslaurel]

And how long did factory workers live with all the airborne spray fumes, No OHS in those days

[@kennethanway7979]

No doubt! I used to do factory spray painting...

[@dirkvanbesien]

Very nice video. I'm impressed

[@AModelA]

Thank you very much!

[@jamesonpace726]

My Dad, b.1925 grew up in NYC, said anytime any plane was seen, traffic (!) would stop, talking would stop & all looked up in silence & amazement until the craft disappeared....

[@AModelA]

It is one of those questions; if Henry Ford suddenly appeared in 2024...what would he think of our technology and would he not be able to look at away from a self driving car or a fighter jet? Thanks for watching!

[@steverhodesvideos6244]

Interesting to see a quick shot of the partially finished Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor. 12:12

[@AModelA]

That is an unexpected benefit of these Tri-Motor films; seeing the old skyline and land. Thanks for watching!

[@lwilton]

At 07:20, is that four on the floor? Never would have expected that in an airplane! :-)

[@cesarefiderio1634]

Bel marchio, antichissimo e molto Valido!!!

[@radioguy1620]

Must have been great for the workers to tell others they worked on airplanes.

[@AModelA]

Would be interesting to know what qualifications would land someone on the Trimotor assembly line instead of the Model A plant. Thanks for watching!

[@darrellhagan6124]

So different than today. True, skilled craftsmen who don't rely upon computerized everything. But I do think that even then the painters should have been wearing respirators or masks. I didn't have time to watch the whole video so maybe some of them were wearing something.....

[@AModelA]

No, Ford didn't seem to offer respiratory gear for anyone. If you haven't seen our 1920's Ford safety film you should check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnLWoaKph7eXhc0 Thanks for watching!

[@jaspen8181]

I was fortunate to live close to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo when rides were offered in the tri-motor. It was very noisy but smooth and enjoyable otherwise. Several years ago, some corrosion was discovered and the plane went through extensive repair to make it flight worthy. Last I knew, it was removed from rides and is still on display at the musuem.

[@AModelA]

The Air Zoo is a great place to visit! Thanks for watching.

[@PRH123]

They must have used eco-paint back then, no need for a mask or goggles while spraying :)

[@tomsamuelson8512]

There was a pilot (pilots?} that used a tri-motor in his aerobatic act and performed at airshows in the 30's or 40's. I got to fly in a tri-motor twice. Once in 1965, an AA restored ship and around 1980 in the one EAA has (or had)..do they still??

[@AModelA]

I believe the EAA's Trimotor still flies. Thanks for watching.

[@sundar999]

At 9:20 I don't think it's good airmanship do fly a loop at that low altitude. Thanks for this great film!

[@AModelA]

It certainly took guts and even watching causes one's stomach to drop a little bit. Thanks for watching!

[@wayneschenet5340]

We had a (replica) Trimotor here at the Fullerton, CA airport in about 2010, but unfortunately, due to inadequate preflight check one of the control surfaces were locked, and the plane crashed on takeoff. Very sad loss! I was hoping it would have been rebuilt, but that never happened. Anyone know what happened to it?

[@jimsilvey5432]

No gloves no respirators.

[@AModelA]

Truly a different time! Thanks for watching.

[@garyslicer8748]

Excellent video except for the spray painting scene. I didn't see any paint being sprayed on the part and that sure isn't how you use a spray paint gun.

[@AModelA]

Wonder if that was the request of the camera man so as to avoid potential overspray getting on the lens. Thanks for watching!

[@riverraisin1]

And at around 1:30 the man that was holding the end of the tape, measuring the sheet aluminum, never looked down to see what the length was. He was too busy watching the guy with the micrometer.

[@johnvaluk1401]

Please tell why Ford stopped at 199?

[@roykey3422]

They got sued for copying someone else's design.

[@adoreslaurel]

Maybe Mr Fokker said, Please stop copying my Trimotor.

[@ronaldvrooman9695]

​@@adoreslaurelYeah; Fokker, which was a Dutch-owned company, ended up building a lot of trimotor transport planes for the German Luftwaffe.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

@@ronaldvrooman9695 I suspect you're talking about the German Junkers JU-52. It was subcontracted to Fokker to help in production numbers?

[@riverraisin1]

Henry said "This Tri-Motor is a real Fokker!"

[@gordonhall9871]

bridge being built

[@motoalchemy]

That loop d loop mADE ME PUCKER

[@AModelA]

Certainly made our stomachs drop too. Thanks for watching!

[@stephaneracicot791]

my dad had one way back it was powered by 2 302 windsor standard u took off in 3 gear and shifted as u climbed my mom would never ride with dad..never

[@AModelA]

Thanks for watching!

[@georgen9755]

Assembly Quadrangle

[@createdeccentricities6620]

Filmed without the use of a single camera drone . . .

[@AModelA]

But imagine what the film would be if they did have that! Thanks for watching.

[@radiorob7543]

All the passengers are dressed up fancy, to take a ride in one of these aero-planes.

[@AModelA]

No pajamas or starbucks cups visible on this flight! Thanks for watching.

[@radiorob7543]

@@AModelA 😆I really hate to fly. I mean really. I can remember flying 50+ years ago, different scene entirely. I really like the music. Fits the era. The first part want's me to find a saloon, the second some moonshine.

[@AModelA]

Glad you liked it all. Thanks for watching!

[@Robbie_robot]

No hands in pockets at Ford. They would be sewn up.

[@billimplom6610]

No way I would fly in that thing. that corrugated aluminum skin must have caused a lot of drag.

[@mauricekinder2545]

Remember, FOTD had a better idea, CHEVROLET had a better product!🤠🤠🤠

[@riverraisin1]

Epic fail

[@keithammleter3824]

Seems an overly complex factory, considering production averaged about one aeroplane per fortnight. It was a poor performer and didn't sell all that well. Something of a hobby by Henry Ford until he lost interest.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

It was certainly a safer aircraft than the similar looking Fokker F-10 trimotor that used a lot of wood in its construction instead of mostly all metal like the Ford product. Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne found this out the hard way flying on a TWA (Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc) F-10 when the wing separated from the aircraft (due to wood rot) over a Kansas wheatfield on March 31, 1931, killing him and everyone else on board. This accident pretty much ended the use of Fokker airliners in the U.S.

[@keithammleter3824]

@@WAL_DC-6B True. The Fokker F10 had considerably better performance - about 50% better rate of climb, much longer range, higher speed and higher cruising altitude. But the crash ruined Fokker's reputation within the USA public and led airlines to tell manufacturers that passenger airplanes must be of all-metal construction. The crash was not due to wood rot, however. Moisture caused the glue in a laminated wing spar to weaken.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

@@WAL_DC-6Bwas TAT the forerunner name for TWA?

[@BobHaus]

@@Fresh-tw7ev Correct. Transcontinental Air Transport merged with Western Air Express to become Transcontinental and Western Air, and later Trans World Airlines.

[@BobHaus]

@@keithammleter3824 Correct, it was delamination, not wood rot. Also worth remembering that the predecessor of the F-10, the F-7, flew for years in all parts of the world. And it also had wood wings.

[@rogerrendzak8055]

Ugly, and frightening. It's like a big old, luxury car, but with wings. Thank goodness Ford opted out, of the automobile industry👍!!! Your write-up reads that, 200 Ford Tri-Motors were manufactured. I thought that number would be, substantially higher. Your write-up states: 'We reserve the right, to moderate comments'. You really mean; delete😒………

[@markfarrington9727]

This thing was a piece of junk they tried a trans Atlantaic crossing in 1 of these before Lindbergh didn't make it died trying.