Ford Tri-Motor
The Ford Tri-Motor (nicknamed the "Tin Goose") was a three-engined transport aircraft. Production ran from 1926 to 1933, after 199 had been made.
In 1922, William Stout founded Stout Metal Airplane Co. After he sent a mimeographed form letter to leading manufacturers, blithely asking for $1,000 and adding: "For your one thousand dollars you will get one definite promise: You will never get your money back." Stout raised $20,000, including $1,000 each from Edsel and Henry Ford.
In 1925, Ford bought Stout and its aircraft designs. The Tri-Motor was essentially a corrugated aluminum-skinned version of the Fokker three-engine design. Even though its closed cabin provided reliable passenger service, it was a noisy, drafty, experience.
The Experimental Aircraft Association offers short flights with their Tri-Motor and the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon has an air-worthy example.
Courtesy Draw Decal
Alaska Airlines grew out of a single-plane company established by Linious McGee in 1932. McGee Airlines merged with Star Air Service in 1934. Under the leadership of Raymond W. Marshall, the airline aggressively pursued further purchases to create Alaska Star Airlines in 1942. The middle name was formally dropped on May 2, 1944, narrowly beating out a competitor who had also applied for the name Alaska Airlines.
This was a kit license produced from Air Fix's 1968 mold by MPC. I have no idea when this particular one sold, but I'm guessing in the early 1970's. The decals had separated from the backing paper and the instruction sheet had yellowed considerably. It was given to me by a friend who knows that I gravitate to antique civilian subjects. I had an Airfix example in my stash, but I traded it away several years ago but now I felt obligated to build this one.
I have submitted my saga of the build to Modeling Madness (https://modelingmadness.com/) and it won't be published until the new year. (If I'm lucky, it will the first of 2025.) Please keep in mind that the saga does not include sword play or magic wand pointing. Nor does it include passages of vigorous swearing. If anyone asks about alcohol fueled sessions of self-pity, I'm gonna deny it. Anyway, I'm glad I completed it and I do not recommend it for the faint of heart. (FYI, picture #2 shows the spreader bar at the cabin roof to get a good fit to the sides.)
Excellent result, John!
Thanks. I wonder if I'll the first slot on MM next year.
Nicely done John.
Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
Great result on an old model.
Thanks. I have to credit Airfix for producing the kit. It must have strained their abilities given the technology of time.
Excellent work as usual John.
Thanks. Some segments of the build were easy, others very difficult and time consuming.
Great job!
Thanks. This one stretched my skills.
Nicely done,John.
I’ve seen this kit in a bag on the shelf at a LHS, seeing your build gives a great argument to give this oldie a try.
Great choice of decals.
Thanks.
If you give it a try, keep in mind that the nacelles and struts are handed and it's easy to get them mixed up. I think it is worth cutting off the locating pins for the nacelles to get a better shape. As for the decals, Draw offers several schemes. Their instructions are clear about applying them over a glossy surface. I applied them directly to the metal paint and the clear film stand out under the right light. Draw Decal is located in Florida and I got my set just before the hurricanes hit. I hope they still in business.
That's a wonderful Tri-Motor, John @jsummerford
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas! I hope Santa has stocked your workshop to the rafters.