Henry Ford, who is mostly remembered for his role in bringing automobiles to the masses, also dabbled in aviation. In the late 1920s, he produced a batch of passenger planes. Now, a national aviation nonprofit is touring the state showcasing one of these historic planes.
Experimental Aircraft Association chapter 565 president Larry McClure smiled broadly as he walked onto the tarmac toward a plane that looks straight out of a World War I film—with wide wings, immaculate corrugated tin skin, and a chubby little tire holding up the tail end.
The EAA is an international nonprofit for aviation enthusiasts, so when McClure got the call that this 1929 Ford Tri-motor 4-AT-E model was going to be making a stop at his chapter’s location in Punta Gorda, it was a big deal.
"It’s wonderful to have these old pieces of history come in here," McClure said. "Most of us have airplanes, but they’re modern-day airplanes, so when we can participate in something like this, it really is a delight."
McClure said seeing one of the original planes built between 1929 and 1933 is rare.
"There was actually 199 of these built and there’s only about four or five of them that are flying in the world now, it’s kind of cool—its actually where you can participate in a piece of history," McClure said. "If you think about that, where else can you actually get in to experience a museum? This is actually a flying museum."
According to the EAA, the plane has lived many lives. It has transported government officials in the Dominican Republic, and been modified to use for barnstorming, firefighting as well as farming.
In the 1970s, the EAA bought and restored the plane to its original form. Member Wally Rojem marveled at the space between the plane's nine passenger seats.
"You always get a window seat, you always have an aisle seat, there was always plenty of leg room," Rojem said before pointing to a vinyl-covered seat. "These happen to be cushioned, but they were wicker, because wicker is light."
The plane, which EAA said is the 69th one built, is travelling throughout the state, offering people the opportunity to fly in it.
Dave Ross is one of the plane’s captains and has flown everything from jets to single engine planes.
"It's relatively smooth, for being a 1929 airplane it flys real well," Ross said. "It's smooth—there’s a little bit of noise but enough just to make it interesting.
The Ford Trimotor will be in Marathon from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 before heading to Stuart. The full schedule of stops and flights can be found here.
