EAA Ford Trimotor visits Redding Airport (RDD)

[GrauGeist]

Last week, we had a vist by the EAA's Ford Trimotor here in town (Redding Municipal Airport) and it was great to see vintage aviation up close and personal!

I went down on Friday (29 May) afternoon and took some photos and we had a suprise visit by a Gentleman and his Wife in their 1932 Ford sedan, and of course, we took photos of the folks and their '32 Ford alongside the Trimotor!

The history behind this particular aircraft is interesting, and I'll post the info straight from the EAA's site:

EAA's model 4-AT-E was the 146th off Ford's innovative assembly line and first flew on August 21, 1929. It was sold to Pitcairn Aviation's passenger division, Eastern Air Transport, whose paint scheme is replicated on EAA's Tri-Motor. This is why EAA's Ford resides in the Pitcairn Hangar at Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, when not touring the U.S. Eastern Air Transport later became Eastern Airlines.

In 1930, the Tri-Motor (NC8407) was leased to Cubana Airlines, where it inaugurated air service between Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The airplane was later flown by the government of the Dominican Republic.

EAA's Ford Tri-Motor returned to the U.S. in 1949 for barnstorming use. In 1950, it was moved from Miami to Phoenix and was refitted with more powerful engines for use as a crop duster. With two 450 HP engines and one 550 HP engine, it became the most powerful Model 4-AT ever flown. In 1955, it was moved to Idaho and fitted with two 275-gallon tanks and bomb doors for use as a borate bomber in aerial firefighting. Then in 1958, it was further modified for use by smoke jumpers.

After working for a variety of crop spraying businesses, EAA's Tri-Motor moved to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1964, where its new owner flew barnstorming tours. During this period it had a variety of roles, including serving as the primary setting for the Jerry Lewis comedy, The Family Jewels.

In 1973, the aircraft was still being used for air show rides, including an EAA chapter's fly-in at Burlington, Wisconsin. While at the 1973 fly-in, a severe thunderstorm ripped the plane from its tie-downs, lifted it 50 feet into the air, and smashed it to the ground on its back. EAA subsequently purchased the wreckage.

After an arduous, 12-year restoration process by EAA staff, volunteers, and Ford Tri-Motor operators nationwide, the old Tri-Motor took to the air once again, where it had its official re-debut at the 1985 EAA Fly-In Convention in Oshkosh.

It was displayed in the EAA AirVenture Museum until 1991 when it returned to its former role of delighting passengers on its annual tour across the U.S.

The following day (30 May) I returned to rake a ride in the morning, when it was a little cooler and the angle of the sun would make for better shots from the air!

And now, the photos!

I'm breaking the photo groups up to make it kind and gentle on everyone's browser...there'll more photos on the way!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff and great pics David.

 

[rochie]

Great shots Dave, those un cowled engines always make me think they haven't finished putting it together !

 

[GrauGeist]

Thanks guys!

Great shots Dave, those un cowled engines always make me think they haven't finished putting it together !

lol Karl...you have a point, though when I was a kid and saw un-cowled rounds, I was fascinated and wanted to explore up close! The guys had to keep a close eye on me

Ok, now for round two!

So far, all the photos posted have been from the Friday visit (29 May) and the following ones in this post were also taken on Friday.

And this brings us to the end of Friday! The next group will be of the next day's visit (and flight)!

I hope everyone's enjoying the Trimotor, so far!

 

[Airframes]

Great - keep 'em coming !

 

[Wurger]

With Terry !!!

 

[GrauGeist]

Thanks Terry and Wojtek!!

And here we are...the final group of photos!

These were taken on Saturday morning and it was a great day to take a ride!

Now, just a little bit of history behind the Trimotor that qualifies it as a WWII aircraft:

This particular model, the 4-AT-E was ordered by the U.S. military, designated as the C-3A. It was powered by three 235-hp Wright R-790-3 radials and seven were purchased.

The military purchased 4 more, based on the 5-AT-D, designated as the C-4A. This version was equipped with three 450-hp Pratt Whitney R-1340-11 radial engines.

The U.S. Marine Corps purchased two 4-AT-E aircraft, designated as the JR-2.

Then the USMC purchased two 5-AT-C versions and the U.S. Navy purchased an additional aircraft, this being designated the JR-3.

There were other "one off" aircraft purchased for evaluation...most of the military versions of the Trimotor were used for light cargo, liaison or training.
However, in 1942, the Trimotor saw combat during the invasion of the Philippines. Normally carrying 12 passengers, this Trimotor carried 24 personnel at a time, over 500 miles during the Battle of Bataan, making the trip twice a day until it was no longer possible to make the passage. It survived several attacks, eventually being destroyed on the ground during Japanese air raids.

I hope everyone has enjoyed the Trimotor's photos and brief history!

 

[Wurger]

THX for sharing.

 

[Airframes]

Great! Must have been fantastic to fly in that old timer !

 

[Geedee]

Nice one Dude. Saw that bird at Osh way back in 2005, pure ol'timer classic !

 

[Gnomey]

Great shots!