Harold Johnson's Ford Tri-motor aerobatic routine in color

[xxxBradTxxx]

cool it almost looks to big to do that

[whizbang47]

Anybody think Airbus has one ship that can do that?

Half of that? With the FADEC computer off and a special vertical fin? Anybody?

[MARDLtransmit]

Wow! Who knew the old "Tin Goose" had it in her?

Yet another reason why I love the Tri-Motor...

[n421tt]

Thats incredible! Was it certified for aerobatics, or spins even?

[geherrick]

The Fords were built before that type of certification was used. Many older aircraft were actually a bit "overbuilt" which may account for the ability to accomplish these maneuvers. I am not an aerobatic pilot but I don't think there are many Gs being put on the aircraft even in the loop.

[sergeant137]

A loop shouldn't have any more than about 4g... you can do it at much less though. Roll, barrel rolls atleast, only require 1g... hence you get rolls in a 707 and such. If you do many manuevers correctly the aircraft never knows its not right-side-up.

[mhansl]

Now, when I watch her roll by over and over at EAA this summer, she'll get more respect. Thanks geherrick.

[luscombe1516b]

Okay, so this guy wakes up one day with the idea, Hey, I bet I can aerobat a Tri-Motor! I LIKE this guy. Thanks, Greg :) As I don't know the date of this, my question is, did this guy inspire Tex Johnson or was it the other way around?

[geherrick]

Thanks! Probably the other way around. A contemporary article [see below] includes a comment from Tex Johnson:

"Now the crowd is nearly out of its mind. Tex Rankin, one of the greatest stunt pilots of all time, turns to the man next to him and shakes his head in disbelief. "You'd never catch me doing that with that much airplane." Then he turns back, eyes glued on the Ford Tri-Motor as Harold Johnson flying solo, climbs for altitude to perform his most impossible manoeuvre of the show."

Greg

[irish89055]

not many corragated airplanes huh? tough stuff and yes, great stuff..

[Bomberguy]

Great stuff, thanks!