THE FORD TRI-MOTORS!

Al Chaney's N7584 (and me)!

Hello! In publishing this list, I am hoping to make available current information as to just where these fine old airplanes are reposing (or FLYING!) now. The published list was correct as of the last update; however, I realize that things are constantly changing. I am counting on you readers to E-mail me regarding needed corrections or updates.

(To speed you on your search for your tri-motor of interest just click on the N number in this list.)

Fords.N1077-NX4542-N7584-N7684-N7861-N9612-N9642-N8400-N8403-N8407-N9645-N9637-N9667-N9651-N9683-
N8419- RAAF-N414H- Bushmasters. N7501V- N750RW- Stinsons.NC11170-

In 1991 I flew as co-pilot on Tri-Motor N7584 from Sandusky, Ohio to Santa Monica with Capt. Al Chaney who is (and will possibly remain) the last of the true barnstormers. My criteria for this statement are:

• Works at it year-round
• Lives on the airport with his airplane
• Selects a new field about the same time he leaves one (often while in flight).
• Does all of his own fueling and whatever maintenance is legal.
• Does his own PR.

1. 10-N1077-4ATB-Sept. 1927-Yellowstone Aviation, Inc, Jackson, WY. Registered 8/20/96 (FAA and AIRPAC Plane cd info) Information received on Feb. 20, 2001 from Greg Herrick of Yellowstone, and owner of that airplane, is that it is being rebuilt by Maurice Hovius in Vicksburg, MI. (See N7584 below for photos in the shop). This Photo just received May 27, 2004 shows the A/C out of the shop and on its gear. Now just add wings and fly! Greg owns a large number of beautifuly restored "Golden Age" aircraft many of which are on display at "The Golden Wings Museum" in Blaine, Minnesota (near the Twin Cities). They may be viewed by photo here. Many of these rare aircraft are available to visit various airshows and other functions.
   Greg may be reached at 651-638-8400 (at his catalogue company, Historic Aviation) or through the National Air Tour.

   National Air Tour, 2003. The Tour has been successfully completed with only a few minor deviations caused by Hurricane Isabel. It was a real thrill to watch all these "Golden Oldies" pull into Richmond and line up on the ramp for refueling. I was priviledged to meet Greg Herrick and to talk with a number of the pilots. It was a further thrill to park at the departure end of the runway and to watch three Tri-Motors take off in sequence - a Ford, a Stinson, and a Bushmaster. Hearing all those old round engines was great!
   A listing of all planes and pilots may be found by clicking here.

   Greg has recently posted a web site which details progress of restoration of 4AT-10 as well as the historical record of this airplane which is fast approaching flying status. Well, not SO fast, really, as he also sent a picture of the airplane on its wheels being towed backwards down the road by a John Deere. And just today, July 5, 2004, Greg forwarded photos of the A/C, engines running and wings on. Also a photo of the panel emphasizing the beautiful control wheels. These latest photos courtesy of Tod Anderson. Could 1077 fly into Oshkosh in a month?

2. 15-NX4542-4ATB-1928-Ford Motor Co.-Ford Museum, Dearborn (Byrd's South Pole airplane) (not in FAA records) Viewed this airplane in August, 2002. I never thought I would say this but this big airplane is almost lost in the vastness of the Ford museum in Dearborn, MI. If you go there allow a day to see the museum and a second day to see the adjacent Greenfield Village. In the museum you can see other airplanes and, in the restoration shops, the Tri-Motor Fokker, the "Josephine Ford", the first airplane to fly over the North Pole. Photo

3. 38-N7584-4ATB-Jan. 1928-Robertson Aircraft, St Louis-Sold by Al Chaney to Kermit Weeks Oct. 6, 1991. Registered 10/28/91. Badly damaged in Florida by hurricane Andrew, fall of 1992. Now in Vicksburg, Mich.(near Kalamazoo) for repair by Maurice Hovious. Mr.Hovius showed the author and his wife through his shops in Sept. 1998. The workmanship on the rebuild is superb. Wooden parts such as control wheels and window frames are true works of art and would grace any (aviator's) coffee table. There are a number of July 20, 2001 photos of the rebuild available on Yahoo, including the wicker seats (click Yahoo at bottom of page). There are structural parts of several other Fords in his storage yard.
   June 9, 2004. John Rees recently supplied these updated links to some great pictures he took in Vicksburg at the Hov-Aire shops. They are here and here . Some of these shots show work being done on N1077 (see above).
   John also has an aerial photo of all the islands serviced by the Fords (photos are by John Rees). This island photo may be purchased from John Rees by following directions on the site.
   The writer was in Mr. Hovius' shops in August 2002. The airplane is in temporary limbo pending some decisisons by the owner as to how to finish the interior. A few current photos have been added. (1), (2), (3), (4).
   For some great photos of a really splendid model of N7584, as posted by John Rees of Ohio, go to this site. Also see the real N7584 in flight. Flight Photo.

   This photo shows the A/C just after the hurricane..

4. 42-N7684-4ATB-Sept. 1928-All major components on-hand. Previously owned by Al Chaney. Now owned by Greg Herrick (see the 2003 National Air Tour Website. Greg was the prime mover involved in the tour planning). 8/24/02. Basic components of this airplane now repose in Mr. Hovius' "back yard". Mr. Herrick plans to have the airplane rebuilt by Maurice Hovius. Photo. Greg's other Ford is NC-1077, S/N 10 (see above).

5. 46-N7861-4ATB-Union Electric, St. Louis-Pensacola Navy Museum (not in FAA records)

6. 55 -N9612-4ATE-1929-Mamer Flying Service, Spokane, WA- Owned by a Dolph Overton trust (of which the Trustee is Robert W. Cobb, Chevy Chase, Md.) Bulk of the rebuild project has been removed from the Va. Aviation Museum and returned to the control of Dolph Overton at his facility at the Johnston County Airport (KJNX) near Smithfield in North Carolina. Wings went to Vicksburg, Michigan to Maurice Hovius in Nov. 98 for structural work and re-skinning. (Mr. Hovius has proper dies for forming Tri-Motor skins.) Registered 5/3/94 per AIRPAC Plane cd. Wing repair has progressed well. New skins are going on both wings. As of 9 Aug. 2001 the fuselage and center section have been moved to Goldsboro and the plane is on the gear. Picture at Yahoo (click at bottom).
   8/24/02. It has been reported that the center engine has been installed and the outboard engines will soon follow. In a novel method of installing the center engine the main gear was removed and the fuselage allowed to rest on its belly to facilitate installation of the engine.
   11/14/02. In an email to the Ford Tri-Motor Yahoo group Will Auen reported steady progress on the restoration. Photos were in the email and may be viewed at the Yahoo Ford Group. All three engines and collectors are installed, tail feathers are on, the control cables have been run, and the cockpit is nearing completion. The cockpit work and control wheels looked especially nice.
   Word received from Will Auen on May, 18, 2003 indicates that much progress is being made. They have pictures of cabin interiors and have located a number of interior furnishings including a toilet, two sinks, one of which is in a wooden cabinet of perhaps questionable authenticity. (It has spring hinges, not too common in the 1920s).

7. 58-N9642-4ATE-Jan. 1929-Mohawk Airways, NY-Owned by Kal Aero, MI. Possible rebuild. Sale reported. 12207 Sprinkle Ave, Vicksburg, MI Registered 12/31/99 (?) per AIRPAK Plane cd.

8. 62-N8400-4ATE-same as N9642. Reported registered 12/31/99 per AIRPAK Plane cd.

9. 65-N8403-4ATE-May 1929-Mamer Flying Service-Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum. Possible restoration.(Not in FAA records). 1/13/04 Just received this picture from A/C history researcher Rudi Leeuw showing the aircraft fuselage.

10. 69-N8407-4ATE-1929-Eastern Air Transport-EAA Aviation Foundation (Museum), Oshkosh. Rides offered. Registered 9/6/73 per AIRPAK Plane cd.
    8/24/02. Photo. 10/9/02. Another great photo courtesy of Bob Westinicky. Bob flew in this airplane from a grass strip in Wisconsin in (about) 1971. The photo was scanned from a postcard that his dad had kept pinned over his workbench for many years. Photo. This info received (3/26/03)from Adam Smith, Director of the EAA AirVenture Museum. First a site that leads to a history page about the Ford. Next he points us to a site with details of Pioneer Airport where N8407 flies regularly. And to keep you up to date on where the Ford and other EAA airplanes are touring go to the calendar.

11. 8-N9645-5ATB-1929-Evergreen Vintage Aircraft, Inc., McMinnville, OR. Flys at airshows. A fine restoration. Registered 4/22/99 per AIRPAC Plane cd. This Ford was once taken to Mexico and re-skinned with smooth alclad thus gaining it the name of the "smooth skin" Ford. It now has the original corrugated skin. To see great photos of this still active Ford (and photos of their new museum under construction) go to: Home of the BIG Goose. The museum will also house the famous "Spruce Goose" which was moved there from Los Angeles. Word from Evergreen (3/13/01) is that the airplane is at the Portland Airport being readied for its summer schedule. That schedule will appear on Evergreen's site when available. We'll try to let you know when that is. As of 8/1/01 unconfirmed report is that the Ford has been retired to museum status and may not fly again.
    This quote received (11/29/02) from Ron Weil at Evergreen: "She is still in flying condition, passed her annual last summer and made a flight down to Las Vegas for a convention. Her nose points directly at the 2nd oldest surviving DC-3 which is also in flying condition. Evergreen now has over 30 aircraft on display including a P-51D, P-38J, FG-1Corsair, TBM-3 Avenger, P-40N Warhawk, all annualed and in flying condition. Our Spitfire MK XVI and Bf-109G (with Daimler-Benz engine) are no longer flown because, after all, who wants to break something that rare? We have over 30 aircraft now on display, many in flying condition, and are now assembling an SR-71 Blackbird which will sit next to the "Spruce Goose". We ain't gonna fly either one of those birds either." (Thanks for the update, Ron). Photo.

12. 11-N9637-5ATB-1929-Pan Am-Restoration complete @ San Diego Aero Space Museum. Word received 27 March 2001 from Tony Beres, Curator, is that the airplane is now mounted on a pedestal for display at the museum. The restoration work as seen by this author is superb. (FAA records indicate approval to show compliance with FAR) Has experimental airworthiness cert. Was once at Wings and Wheels, Santee, SC. Registered 2/1/91 per AIRPAC Plane cd. Information received 1/9/03 from John Seibold supplied these bits of history. John bought this airplane in 1975 from Dolph Overton's "Wings and Wheels". It became a bicentennial project and was restored by Scenic Airways. Scenic's sister company, Grand Canyon Airlines, used it to fly passengers between the Grand Canyon's South Rim and the North Rim VT airstrip during the summer of 1976. A few years later it was severely damaged by a windstorm in Las Vagas. Shortly thereafter Mr. Siebold donated the airplane to the San Diego Aerospace Museum where they did a magnificent job of restoring it over a period of ten years. It is now on display there. In an email dated 5 Dec. 2003 Bob Westinicky contributed several pictures, one of which graced the cover of the November 1977 issue of "Arizona Highways". We would not like to lose even one engine in this location. Photo. (note: N9637 aka N76GC et al). Mr. Siebold presently owns N414H (see below).

    

13. 13-N9667-5ATB-1929 (aka AN-AAR-A Restoration Project undertaken by the "Tin Goose Chapter", EAA 1247, in Port Clinton, Ohio. Word received from Bill Larkins and others indicates that this airplane will be rebuilt from major components retrieved from Nicaragua, plus other components which have been in storage. It is believed to be owned by Greg Herrick of the National Air Tour. Acording to Mr. Larkins this airplane was built for SAFEWAY and went from them to American Airways and later American Airlines. It was sold to TACA Honduras and eventually wound up with TACA Nicaragua as AN-AAR.
    These photos, taken by Lee Fray when the airplane fuselage arrived at EAA Hq., were provided courtesy of Bill Larkins.
    

    This information is somewhat preliminary and is subject to correction as additional information becomes available to me. Suffice to say this is EXCITING news in that another Ford may be added to the present fleet.

    With the addition of this airplane we are now tracking 18 Fords, roughly split among museums, rebuilding, or flying.

14. 34N9651-5ATB-1929-Trans Continental Air Transport-Sold by I Perlitch, CA, to Kermit Weeks, Polk City, FL. (1992). Used in movie "Temple of Doom". Registered 10/20/93 per AIRPAC Plane cd. This airplane is now in the excellent "Fantasy of Flight" museum at Polk City.

15. 39-N9683-5ATB-1929-American Airlines-Air and Space Museum, D.C. Registered 12/10/73 per AIRPAC Plane cd. 1/17/03. Through the courtesy of Bill Larkins, author of "The Ford-Tri-Motor", we present this Photo. of 9683 with one of its larger cousins. The photo itself is from an American Airlines PR brochure. But the big airplane has its engines on the wrong end!

16. 58-N8419-5ATC-1929-Northwest Airlines-Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum Inc. Kalamazoo, MI. Has standard and restricted airworthiness cert. Rides were available at $45 and worth every penny; however, they have been suspended. Some wing structure corrosion has been noted and may require major repairs.
    Keith Laird (father was a friend of the famous Noel Wien) writes that the true "bones" of 8419 still reside in a ditch at the end of a Forest Service strip in Idaho. According to the Larkin book it was in an accident that killed three smoke jumpers and one non-pilot crew member. Perhaps the placard was removed and installed on the present N8419 as is often done during a rebuild. Registered 3/5/92 per AIRPAC Plane cd. Jerry Pahl reports (April 21, 2000) from the Air Zoo that most of 8419 is newly manufactured although enough of the original aircraft is retained to give it authenticty. The engines, while from the same era, are from BT-13s and a C-45.
    Word from Ford pilot Capt. Dick Ward (as of 11/05/01) was that the aircraft had its insurance problems resolved and resumed flying passengers throughout the late fall.
    Word received 3 June 2002 is that N8419 will not be flying for some time while some wing corrosion is evaluated.
    8/24/02. This plane was seen by this writer in August of 2002 in the Air Zoo's restoration shops. If you go there ask about guided tours to the restoration shops. 8/24/02. Flight Photo.

17. 60-RAAF 5ATC-1929-Ford Motor Co. in England-National Museum, Papua, New Guinea. Possible rebuild.(Not in FAA records)

18. 74-N414H-5ATC-1929-Ford Motor Co.-Twin Otter International Ltd, North Las Vegas. Was once on floats. No longer taking Grand Canyon Tours. In several movies. Used for type ratings. Has standard airworthiness cert. Currently 5-AT-74 is owned by Scenic Airways president John Seibold and is presently on loan to The Air Museum Planes of Fame. 5-AT-74 can usually be seen at the museum's satellite museum in Valle, Arizona. Registered 10/28/85 per AIRPAC Plane cd. Photo. 1/16/03 This Photo courtesy of Bill Larkins, author of "The Ford Tri-Motor". The photo was taken by him. The information which follows was received from John Siebold on 1/9/03. Mr. Siebold purchased the airplane from Chuck LeMaster in Kansas a couple of years before his N9637 was damaged in a windstorm. For a while, he had both flying around the skies of Las Vegas promoting the city and their Grand Canyon Sightseeing airline, Scenic Airlines. It is still licensed and flying and resides at the Planes of Fame Museum at Grand Valle Airport (40G). Bernie Godlove, at one time was senior pilot #1 system wide for United Airlines, had over 1000 hrs flying N414H; many United captains obtained their type ratings in the Ford from Bernie. Currently, his son Bryan, also a United captain, my son Scott and Steve Hinton Pres., Planes of Fame, are the only pilots flying it. 1/20/03 Mr. Siebold just supplied us with this new Photo of N414H in all its Scenic Airways glory, rainbow and all.
    As of Nov. 22, 2003 Ford pilot John Dillon reports that following the succesful completion of 2003 National Air Tour, plus other passenger-flying activities, N414H has been put on temporary static display at the Commemorative Air Force Museum, Arizona Wing, at Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona. Photo From Bob Westinicky.

    These aircraft believed flyable

    N9612 was painted up as the "City of Los Angeles" by TWA and flown extensively in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their first transcontinental flight (celebration in July of 1949)

    Notes: S/Ns were repeated from 1 when 5AT went into production; however, 4ATs and 5ATs were co-mingled on the production line, meaning that some 5ATs were older than some 4ATs.

    The Bushmaster.

    There are two Bushmasters in existence. This aircraft was a Stout-redesigned Ford 5ATD. First one (N7501V) owned by Jerry Brown, Louisville, KS flew approx mid 1965. That A/C was at Owl's Head Trans. Museum in Maine. For some unknown reason they painted Ford on the tail but it is not a Ford. It was later in Olathe, Kan., at the New Century Airport and piloted by Chris Grotewohl. As of April 23, 2001 it was based at Pasa Roblas Airport in California. There are lots of photos of it (plus lots of photos of turbine DC-3s)at Chris's site. Chris has a great secondary activity playing and recording Celtic music. He also gives tail-dragger instruction in the Kansas City area in the PA-18 Super Cub and in the 7AC Champion.On 3/26/03 Chris told us that this airplane has been sold to Greg Herrick and will be flown to Minnesota in the next several weeks.

    Bushmaster N750RW lost in accident during takeoff from Fullerton, CA, on 25 September 2004. Pilot and co-pilot badly injured. For details see our Bushmaster site.

    The second one, Buffy, (N750RW), owned by R.R. Fuchs, Cahokia, Ill, was FAA-certified in 1984. Per word received from Bud Fuchs (16 June 99) and Bill Larkins (12 Dec.1999) it is presently in Southern California and conducting tours around Catalina, the Island of Romance. Don't miss this big opportunity if you get out that way! A further note on Buff is that she has rebuilt engines from Tulsa Air Craft Engines, new instruments, a new interior, and is painted in the traditional Catalina Gold-and-Black (Yea, Purdue for that!)
    There is a good website with nice pictures and complete details on their operation.

    6 Dec. 2003. Wanna own a Tri-Motor? Buffy is for sale on eBay. Click here. If you can get past the fact that it is being offered as a bonafide FORD Tri-Motor there are lots of good pictures. So far bids are at $500,000 but you can buy it now for a cool $1,650,000. The hold-back price is not made available. This info reached us courtesy of Bob Westinicky.

    Word just in (13 Dec. 2003) is that the airplane sold at the "Buy Now" price of $1,650,000. I am not aware of who the buyer is; however, his eBay buyer name was rickyheinzen. Soon as I find out the name it will be published here.

    7 Jan. 04. Well, I thought I had it right! Turns out that the report that it had sold on eBay was a bit premature as someone had hit the "buy now" button inadvertently with no intention of buying N750RW. So you can still buy Buffy. As to how long it will stay on eBay I do not know. This info comes from Bob Rogers whom Bud Fuchs calls the airplane's Godfather. Bob also reports that Bud, present owner, has bought a BOAT and is planning a move to Florida and the Caribbean. Bob says that since Bud is particular about his airplanes this one should be in good shape. So if you hanker to ride behind 3 fans this one is for you!

    A New Site Featuring Stories and Pictures from Bushmaster Pilots.
    Stinson Tri-Motors.

    NC11170, a 1931 Stinson Tri-Motor once owned by Charles Andreas, Neenah, WI, has a standard airworthiness cert. It now belongs to Kermit Weeks of "Fantasy of Flight". in Florida.
    Mr. Herrick also owns another high-wing Stinson Tri-Motor and the only low-wing Tri-Motor Stinson remaining, a Model "A". (see his collection at 1 above, click on "here")

    N-15165This word just received (10 Nov. 04) from Greg Herrick: "FYI, We flew the Stinson A, the only surviving low wing Stinson Tri-motor for the first time yesterday after a major multi-year restoration (it last flew in 1998). The test flight was conducted by John Mohr with Jim Obowa as co-pilot. Dan White, Craig Schiller and myself flew in the chase plane. The flight went well. John said it was very stable, and in perfect rig. He did a stall, which occurred at about 60 mph and reported it was very docile and basically broke straight ahead. Without pushing it the ship was cruising along at 140 mph. It was just beautiful to see flying again. This aircraft was built in 1936. It was one of 16 which was initially sold to American Airlines (3 went to Delta Airlines). Approximately 35 were built in total This ship has had an exciting history, not the least of which was it’s rescue from a raging forest fire in Alaska. This interesting story is told by Doug Lutz, one of the fire crew sent to save the plane. The story may be found here: http://sobering.terracom.net/eaa98/Stinson/Lutz/Story.html#History We will be sharing more about this exciting aircraft in the coming months. Best, Greg"

    For a nice photo of this airplane click here..

    Need Pics.If anyone who reads this has any photos of the flyable Fords in flight would they please send them to me so that I can put them on this page or as a link. They'll be returned if you want them back. E-mail me for my snail mail address. Per my latest information these numbers are flying: N8407, N9651, and N414H.

    
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    For some neat photos of very early military/civilian aircraft (circa 1915) please visit my FitzFotos site which shows pictures scanned from my father-in-law's album of 1920.

    I seldom list airplane websites (too many lists now) but one you will really enjoy is from the Netherlands.

    And I couldn't resist adding this one, especially as it does recognize the Ol' Ford! It is from Canada making this site truly international in scope.

    Sources for this information include:

    • Capt. Al Chaney, former owner and pilot of N7584, Hebron, Ohio
    • Profile Publications #156, THE FORD TRI-MOTOR (England)
    • FAA FSDO, Richmond, Va.
    • FAA Registration records as provided by AVweb and Landings.
    • The Wm. Larkins book, THE FORD TRI-MOTOR, republished in 1992 by the Schiffer Publishing Co. (This book is a MUST for anyone interested in the old Fords) Find it at: Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310. Telephone: 610/593-1777. e-mail Schifferbk@aol.com; or http://www.amazon.com; or http://www.bn.com; or http://www.schifferbooks.com
    • Big plug here for EAA. They also sell Larkins' book (see above). In addition they also list a vintage aircraft necktie featuring the Ford, plus a Ryan ST, a Stagger Wing Beech, an early Boeing, and, I think, a Taper Wing Waco. I received one for Christmas in 2002 and it is great. (And, no, EAA did not supply it for free!).
    
    Click here for Pilot Supplies! Wide variety. Great prices!

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    Copyright © 2004 by Arthur Brenton Wiggins

    Created 22 July 1997, Updated 17 November 2004

    
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