Tin Goose: The Fabulous Ford Trimotor

One man did more, perhaps, than any other individual to get America rolling in the 20th Century. His name was Henry Ford whose inventiveness and ingenuity made the horseless carriage a practical motor car and put the nation on wheels. The motor car changed the face of America. Much has been written og Mr. Ford's contribution to the world of wheels, but little is known of his farsightedness, encouragement and financial support to the world of wings. Mr. Ford saw in this machine a whole new concept in transportation for everyone. It is said he took the airplane out of the cow pasture, put it in the hangar and gave aviation prestige and public confidence which launched the Air Age. With the FORD name on it public acceptance of the Tin Goose was assured. Mr Ford inaugurated the first regularly scheduled air mail service in the U.S. operated by a private company. The Ford Motor Company started the first air-freight operation between its Dearborn plant and factory branches in Chicago and Cleveland. The first inflight steward service was started with a Flight Escort as part of the crew. On the ground at Dearborn, Ford built one of the finest airports of its time anywhere complete with paved runways, passenger terminal building, restaurant, hotel accommodations, radio communication shack, weather bureau, even a traffic control center.The Tin Goose brought it into being. This then is her story.