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- Ford Reliability Tour at Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan, 1930 - From 1925-1931, Ford Motor Company sponsored annual air tours to promote reliability and safety in commercial aircraft. Pilots flew to pre-determined cities, and their airplanes were rated on the ability to take off and land quickly and maintain consistent speeds. The 1930 tour included 18 entries and visited 29 cities in the United States and Canada.
- September 27, 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Reliability Tour at Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan, 1930
From 1925-1931, Ford Motor Company sponsored annual air tours to promote reliability and safety in commercial aircraft. Pilots flew to pre-determined cities, and their airplanes were rated on the ability to take off and land quickly and maintain consistent speeds. The 1930 tour included 18 entries and visited 29 cities in the United States and Canada.
- Pilot Phoebe Omlie after Completing the Ford Reliability Air Tour, July 1928 - Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie started her aviation career as a barnstormer, then began flying in air races in the late 1920s. The first woman appointed to a federal aviation post, she served with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics from 1933-1936, and with the Civil Aeronautics Commission from 1941-1952. Omlie flew solo during the 1928 Ford Reliability Air Tour.
- July 28, 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Pilot Phoebe Omlie after Completing the Ford Reliability Air Tour, July 1928
Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie started her aviation career as a barnstormer, then began flying in air races in the late 1920s. The first woman appointed to a federal aviation post, she served with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics from 1933-1936, and with the Civil Aeronautics Commission from 1941-1952. Omlie flew solo during the 1928 Ford Reliability Air Tour.
- Ford Tri-Motor Airplane in Flight over Dearborn Inn, 1931 - Edsel and Henry Ford conceived the Dearborn Inn as a business opportunity, a first-class hotel hosting pilots and travelers transiting through the adjacent Ford Airport. It is noted as one of the first airport hotels. It also served traveling Ford employees and dealers, and visitors to the nearby Edison Institute (later renamed The Henry Ford).
- 1931
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Tri-Motor Airplane in Flight over Dearborn Inn, 1931
Edsel and Henry Ford conceived the Dearborn Inn as a business opportunity, a first-class hotel hosting pilots and travelers transiting through the adjacent Ford Airport. It is noted as one of the first airport hotels. It also served traveling Ford employees and dealers, and visitors to the nearby Edison Institute (later renamed The Henry Ford).
- 1927 Stinson SM-1 Detroiter Monoplane, "The Pride of Detroit" - William S. Brock and Detroit businessman Edward F. Schlee tried to fly this airplane around the world in 1927. Starting from Harbour Grace, Canada, they flew east for 12,295 miles. At Tokyo, Japan, a typhoon -- and worried telegrams from family and friends -- convinced them to end the attempt. Nevertheless, they were celebrated as heroes when they returned to the United States -- by ship.
- 1927
- Collections - Artifact
1927 Stinson SM-1 Detroiter Monoplane, "The Pride of Detroit"
William S. Brock and Detroit businessman Edward F. Schlee tried to fly this airplane around the world in 1927. Starting from Harbour Grace, Canada, they flew east for 12,295 miles. At Tokyo, Japan, a typhoon -- and worried telegrams from family and friends -- convinced them to end the attempt. Nevertheless, they were celebrated as heroes when they returned to the United States -- by ship.
- Edsel Ford and Henry Ford II at an Air Show, 1928 - Edsel Ford was photographed with his son, Henry Ford II, at the 1928 Ford Reliability Air Tour. The tours, organized to promote reliability and safety in commercial aircraft, were held annually from 1925-1931. They tested airplanes' abilities to maintain speeds and schedules. Henry Ford credited Edsel Ford with sparking Ford Motor Company's interest in aviation.
- June 30, 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Edsel Ford and Henry Ford II at an Air Show, 1928
Edsel Ford was photographed with his son, Henry Ford II, at the 1928 Ford Reliability Air Tour. The tours, organized to promote reliability and safety in commercial aircraft, were held annually from 1925-1931. They tested airplanes' abilities to maintain speeds and schedules. Henry Ford credited Edsel Ford with sparking Ford Motor Company's interest in aviation.
- 1925 Fokker F. VII Tri-Motor Airplane at the National Air Tour, Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan - Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker set himself apart at the Ford-sponsored 1925 National Air Tour. While other manufacturers participated with single-engine airplanes, Fokker entered a tri-motor craft in the competition. Fokker saw great publicity value in the tour and had the "FOKKER" name painted prominently on his airplane. With their increased range and dependability, Fokker Tri-Motors became popular with early airlines.
- October 04, 1925
- Collections - Artifact
1925 Fokker F. VII Tri-Motor Airplane at the National Air Tour, Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan
Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker set himself apart at the Ford-sponsored 1925 National Air Tour. While other manufacturers participated with single-engine airplanes, Fokker entered a tri-motor craft in the competition. Fokker saw great publicity value in the tour and had the "FOKKER" name painted prominently on his airplane. With their increased range and dependability, Fokker Tri-Motors became popular with early airlines.
- 1925 Fokker F. VII Tri-Motor Airplane at the National Air Tour, Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan - Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker set himself apart at the Ford-sponsored 1925 National Air Tour. While other manufacturers participated with single-engine airplanes, Fokker entered a tri-motor craft in the competition. Fokker saw great publicity value in the tour and had the "FOKKER" name painted prominently on his airplane. With their increased range and dependability, Fokker Tri-Motors became popular with early airlines.
- October 04, 1925
- Collections - Artifact
1925 Fokker F. VII Tri-Motor Airplane at the National Air Tour, Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan
Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker set himself apart at the Ford-sponsored 1925 National Air Tour. While other manufacturers participated with single-engine airplanes, Fokker entered a tri-motor craft in the competition. Fokker saw great publicity value in the tour and had the "FOKKER" name painted prominently on his airplane. With their increased range and dependability, Fokker Tri-Motors became popular with early airlines.
- Henry Ford and William Stout, October 5, 1925 - Henry and Edsel Ford had an early interest in commercial aviation and believed it might become as important as the automobile. The Fords invested in William Stout's metal airplane company and soon built an airport and airplane factory for his use. By the time this photograph was taken, Ford Motor Company had purchased the Stout Metal Airplane Company.
- October 05, 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford and William Stout, October 5, 1925
Henry and Edsel Ford had an early interest in commercial aviation and believed it might become as important as the automobile. The Fords invested in William Stout's metal airplane company and soon built an airport and airplane factory for his use. By the time this photograph was taken, Ford Motor Company had purchased the Stout Metal Airplane Company.
- Curtiss Oriole Airplane, August 6, 1926 - The Curtiss Oriole was first produced in 1919. The three-seat, single-engine biplane featured a monocoque body made from laminated wood. The Oriole had a maximum speed of 86 miles per hour, but it was more comfortable cruising at about 70. Curtiss Oriole biplanes were used in both civil and military operations.
- August 06, 1926
- Collections - Artifact
Curtiss Oriole Airplane, August 6, 1926
The Curtiss Oriole was first produced in 1919. The three-seat, single-engine biplane featured a monocoque body made from laminated wood. The Oriole had a maximum speed of 86 miles per hour, but it was more comfortable cruising at about 70. Curtiss Oriole biplanes were used in both civil and military operations.
- Ford National Reliability Air Tour at Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan, September 1930 - From 1925-1931, Ford Motor Company sponsored annual air tours to promote reliability and safety in commercial aircraft. Pilots flew to pre-determined cities, and their airplanes were rated on the ability to take off and land quickly and maintain consistent speeds. The 1930 tour included 18 entries and visited 29 cities in the United States and Canada.
- September 27, 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Ford National Reliability Air Tour at Ford Airport, Dearborn, Michigan, September 1930
From 1925-1931, Ford Motor Company sponsored annual air tours to promote reliability and safety in commercial aircraft. Pilots flew to pre-determined cities, and their airplanes were rated on the ability to take off and land quickly and maintain consistent speeds. The 1930 tour included 18 entries and visited 29 cities in the United States and Canada.