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- Ford Tri-Motor - The Ford Tri-Motor was the most popular airliner of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Its rugged dependability led Richard Byrd to choose a Tri-Motor for his attempt to be the first person to fly over the South Pole. On November 28-29, 1929, Byrd and a crew of three achieved that goal in this plane.
- November 23, 2015
- Collections - Set
Ford Tri-Motor
The Ford Tri-Motor was the most popular airliner of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Its rugged dependability led Richard Byrd to choose a Tri-Motor for his attempt to be the first person to fly over the South Pole. On November 28-29, 1929, Byrd and a crew of three achieved that goal in this plane.
- Passengers aboard Ford Tri-Motor Airplane, 1929 - Americans initially wondered if air travel was safe. Fatal crashes by barnstorming pilots were well publicized, and wood and cloth airplanes did not inspire confidence. But when Henry Ford began making planes, the industrialist's solid reputation eased people's fears. Ford's all-metal Tri-Motors were rugged, dependable and safe. By the late 1920s these planes were the backbone of the budding airline industry.
- April 30, 1929
- Collections - Artifact
Passengers aboard Ford Tri-Motor Airplane, 1929
Americans initially wondered if air travel was safe. Fatal crashes by barnstorming pilots were well publicized, and wood and cloth airplanes did not inspire confidence. But when Henry Ford began making planes, the industrialist's solid reputation eased people's fears. Ford's all-metal Tri-Motors were rugged, dependable and safe. By the late 1920s these planes were the backbone of the budding airline industry.
- Tri-Line Motors Ford Dealership, April 1941 -
- April 25, 1941
- Collections - Artifact
Tri-Line Motors Ford Dealership, April 1941
- Ford Tri-Motor: Production - Henry Ford attempted to apply automobile assembly line techniques to the manufacture of airplanes, and to build them in large numbers. Monthly production peaked at 25 planes in June 1929. The Great Depression forced Ford to re-focus on his core auto business, and the company's commercial aircraft production ended in May 1933.
- September 05, 2017
- Collections - Set
Ford Tri-Motor: Production
Henry Ford attempted to apply automobile assembly line techniques to the manufacture of airplanes, and to build them in large numbers. Monthly production peaked at 25 planes in June 1929. The Great Depression forced Ford to re-focus on his core auto business, and the company's commercial aircraft production ended in May 1933.
- Ford Tri-Motor Airplanes at Airport, 1930 - The rugged Ford Tri-Motor did not require a paved runway for takeoff or landing -- a good thing considering that grass airfields were common in the United States, even in major cities, until World War II. The Tri-Motor's flexibility helped make it one of the most successful early commercial airliners.
- June 23, 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Tri-Motor Airplanes at Airport, 1930
The rugged Ford Tri-Motor did not require a paved runway for takeoff or landing -- a good thing considering that grass airfields were common in the United States, even in major cities, until World War II. The Tri-Motor's flexibility helped make it one of the most successful early commercial airliners.
- Interior of Ford Tri-Motor Airplane, 1928 - The interior of a Ford Tri-Motor airplane is seen in this 1928 view. Lightweight wicker seats were provided for passengers. The less the airplane itself weighed, the more passengers or cargo it could carry.
- July 13, 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Interior of Ford Tri-Motor Airplane, 1928
The interior of a Ford Tri-Motor airplane is seen in this 1928 view. Lightweight wicker seats were provided for passengers. The less the airplane itself weighed, the more passengers or cargo it could carry.
- Ford Tri-Motor Airplane Equipped with Pontoons, 1931 - The Ford Tri-Motor's versatility was a big part of its success. By mounting a set of pontoon floats on the airplane's landing gear, any sufficiently large body of water became a runway. This modification was especially useful in places where landing strips -- paved or not -- were few and far between.
- September 04, 1931
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Tri-Motor Airplane Equipped with Pontoons, 1931
The Ford Tri-Motor's versatility was a big part of its success. By mounting a set of pontoon floats on the airplane's landing gear, any sufficiently large body of water became a runway. This modification was especially useful in places where landing strips -- paved or not -- were few and far between.
- View of Ford Tri-Motor Bulkhead Assembly, 1929 - Ford Motor Company's Tri-Motor, built from 1926-1933, flew in many early American airline fleets. The all-metal airplane was rugged, dependable, and equally adaptable to passenger and freight service. Tri-Motors were built with some of the same mass production techniques used in Ford's automobile plants. This photo reveals the assembly of a Tri-Motor bulkhead.
- 1929
- Collections - Artifact
View of Ford Tri-Motor Bulkhead Assembly, 1929
Ford Motor Company's Tri-Motor, built from 1926-1933, flew in many early American airline fleets. The all-metal airplane was rugged, dependable, and equally adaptable to passenger and freight service. Tri-Motors were built with some of the same mass production techniques used in Ford's automobile plants. This photo reveals the assembly of a Tri-Motor bulkhead.
- Ford Tri-Motor Airplane "City of Columbus," 1928 - This Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT-4, named <em>City of Columbus</em>, wears the markings of Transcontinental Air Transport. The pioneering airline, established in 1928, offered coast-to-coast service coordinated with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Passengers traveled from New York City to Los Angeles, flying by day and taking the train by night.
- November 20, 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Tri-Motor Airplane "City of Columbus," 1928
This Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT-4, named City of Columbus, wears the markings of Transcontinental Air Transport. The pioneering airline, established in 1928, offered coast-to-coast service coordinated with the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. Passengers traveled from New York City to Los Angeles, flying by day and taking the train by night.
- Ford Tri-Motor Airplane Assembly Line, Dearborn, Michigan, 1927 - Henry Ford attempted to apply automobile assembly line techniques to the manufacture of airplanes, and to build them in large numbers. Monthly production peaked at 25 planes in June 1929. The Great Depression forced Ford to re-focus on his core auto business, and the company's commercial aircraft production ended in May 1933.
- February 07, 1927
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Tri-Motor Airplane Assembly Line, Dearborn, Michigan, 1927
Henry Ford attempted to apply automobile assembly line techniques to the manufacture of airplanes, and to build them in large numbers. Monthly production peaked at 25 planes in June 1929. The Great Depression forced Ford to re-focus on his core auto business, and the company's commercial aircraft production ended in May 1933.