EAA493 Mailing List: Ford Tri-Motor Aerobatics!

[Joe Christian (k5hmd]

Early 1930s:  American pilot, Harold Johnson, conducts aerobatics and stunts in the Ford Tri-Motor ("NC-9610").  The Tri was a popular airliner at the time. Manoeuvres performed included loops, one wheel fast runs, spins and snap rolls!

Watch both parts.  Often loops were commenced from crowd height, (no margin for error).   Note also, how close the crowd was to the airfield action.  One mechanical failure, one pilot stuff-up, a wing tip hitting the ground – and the aircraft was into the crowd.

Luckily, no O.H.and S in those days.  Imagine fighting WW2 to O.H.and S rules?

It might be mentioned: the Tri-Motor was built like a brick shit-house.   Almost Grumman like in strength.  Grumman Aircraft Engineering was famously known as ‘the Grumman Iron works’.

Part 01:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6dWtDk_rOI

Part 02:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAtFFzncAw0