PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS FORD TRI-MOTOR
A new release (Nov 98) from Jim Milanos and Spec Cast, this Pan American Airways Ford Tri-Motor is a very limited edition ( only 750 ever to be made ) . The history is colorful as is the airplane and every attempt has been made through research and available dies/tooling to produce this replica as exact as possible. Features include working props and wheels, hidden bank access, baked on enamel, die-cast metal and official licensing from Ford Motor Company. Wing span measures approx. 11 inches.
HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Ford Tri-Motor*
The Ford "Tin Goose", created by the Ford Motor Co. at a time when most aircraft were made of wood covered with fabric, was the first all metal multi-engined airplane built in the USA. The Ford Tri-Motor was originally developed and produced by Bill Stout of Stout Air Lines, and was based on European Fokker aircraft. The Tri-Motor was composed of three models: the Stout 2-AT, which Ford purchased and assimilated; the Ford-developed 4-AT, epitomized by Admiral Byrd's "Floyd Bennett" plane and Texaco 4-AT aircraft; and the Ford 5-AT which comprised the majority of the 198 or so Tri-Motors which were produced. The 5-AT characteristics, which distinguished it from the 4-AT, included a different cockpit shape with glass on the top, a snub nose vs. the pointed nose of the 4-AT and ring cowls on the outboard engines. These details make the Bank Model by Spec Cast a certified Model 5-AT.
The PAA 5-AT Ford Tri-Motor*
The written title on the Ford Tri-Motor was "Pan American Airways Systems"(PAA). The founder of PAA, based in Key West, FL in the 1920's and '30's, was the dynamic Juan Trippe, who was characterized by "FDR" as one of "The Yale Mafia". He was highly motivated to become the original precursor of the global, mega-international airline (as well as domestic) in which he was successful for many decades. This PAA 5-AT plane and Spec Cast Bank Model exemplifies Trippe's overseas, global orientation with the orange striping on the top of each wing. This orange accent was used on the planes for over-sea flights incase of forced landings, and was exemplified by its use on the Boeing 314 Clipper named "Dixie", on which FDR spent one birthday as well as using it for his Malta meeting in Casablanca with Churchill and Stalin. PAA's first overseas venture was oriented towards Central and South America, with PAA routes in eastern South America with the western South American routes covered by a joint venture between PAA and W.R. Grace or Grace Shipping Lines of New York, NY. The full title was Pan American Grace Airway Inc., (abbreviated to Panagra) and was based in Peru. Unlike the blue PAA paint scheme, Panagra used a dark green; you will find Panagra history at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
The Maiden Flight*
The maiden flight of PAA 5-At N.9661, exemplified by this Spec Cast Bank Model, was commanded by the renowned aviator Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh. On January 2, 1929, PAA bought out Mexicana Airlines to block out an airmail route from Brownsville, TX to the Canal Zone. On March 10, 1929, Charles Lindbergh flew this plane and 8 passengers to Mexico City in 5 hours and 18 minutes.
* The above historical data is taken directly from the data sheet included with each airplane purchased and is from the producer, Jim Milanos.
Item Number: AA49018
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