Toy Nomura Classic - Ford Tri Motor Tin Goose
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 5:00 pmI have a Ford Tri Motor by Toys Nomura.
In the 70s I read some books about the early history of US airlines. I remember many informational tid-bits about these planes. The Ford 4AT and 5AT (there was an earlier model with open cockpit) were best-sellers in the late 1920s. Crews served the passengers aboard the Ford TriMotors box lunches. The passengers rode in wicker seats, and engine noise in the cabin could reach 80 decibels - fairly loud. One thing I could not believe reading was the toilets were open underneath. A small airline in Mexico, Tatsa, was still operating them in the 60s, and at least two US tourist airlines, Island and Scenic, were flying them in the 70s. In the summer of 1982 I heard on the radio while on vacation near Ogunquit, ME that one was appearing at a fair, where it would carry passengers, but I did not see it, and in 2008 a real one flew over my car as I was leaving Charlotte, NC.
I have seen several photos of very old Japanese tin plate Tri Motor aircraft. Sometimes, they have the names FARMAN or DOUGLAS lithographed across the tops of the wings. These were made in the 1930s and have pre-war US military insignia.
The Nomura Tri Motor was made in the late 50s or 60s. The registration on the wing is significant. NX4542 is preserved in the Ford museum. It is a 4AT built in 1928 that flew over the South Pole. The plane was named in honor of aviator Floyd Bennett, who also has an airport named after him on Long Island, NY.
Though the toy appears to be well-modelled, it has several peculiarities. First is its orangey-pinkish-tan overall color. Ford Tri Motors were usually flown in the natural corrugated metal finish, although I have seen some photos that appear to show the planes painted white overall, and at least one airline, Scenic, painted large rainbows on the fuselage sides in the 70s.
Second, because the toy model has a friction drive the wheels are mounted under the fuselage and not on struts like the real thing. Also, the drive shaft is linked to the nose prop only. The engine nacelles under the wings are removable, and the example pictured in Ron Smith's book lacks them, making it a single-prop plane. The props are two-bladed brown plastic, and the engines have pressed metal radial engines wih only eight cylinders, for some reason, rather than the correct number, nine.
I have had this plane since the late 1990s and was pleased to get it, as they do not show up for sale very often, though when they do, they are not overly high priced like their 1930s toy ancestors.
This photo session is the first time the plane has been out of the display since 2001!
In the 70s I read some books about the early history of US airlines. I remember many informational tid-bits about these planes. The Ford 4AT and 5AT (there was an earlier model with open cockpit) were best-sellers in the late 1920s. Crews served the passengers aboard the Ford TriMotors box lunches. The passengers rode in wicker seats, and engine noise in the cabin could reach 80 decibels - fairly loud. One thing I could not believe reading was the toilets were open underneath. A small airline in Mexico, Tatsa, was still operating them in the 60s, and at least two US tourist airlines, Island and Scenic, were flying them in the 70s. In the summer of 1982 I heard on the radio while on vacation near Ogunquit, ME that one was appearing at a fair, where it would carry passengers, but I did not see it, and in 2008 a real one flew over my car as I was leaving Charlotte, NC.
I have seen several photos of very old Japanese tin plate Tri Motor aircraft. Sometimes, they have the names FARMAN or DOUGLAS lithographed across the tops of the wings. These were made in the 1930s and have pre-war US military insignia.
The Nomura Tri Motor was made in the late 50s or 60s. The registration on the wing is significant. NX4542 is preserved in the Ford museum. It is a 4AT built in 1928 that flew over the South Pole. The plane was named in honor of aviator Floyd Bennett, who also has an airport named after him on Long Island, NY.
Though the toy appears to be well-modelled, it has several peculiarities. First is its orangey-pinkish-tan overall color. Ford Tri Motors were usually flown in the natural corrugated metal finish, although I have seen some photos that appear to show the planes painted white overall, and at least one airline, Scenic, painted large rainbows on the fuselage sides in the 70s.
Second, because the toy model has a friction drive the wheels are mounted under the fuselage and not on struts like the real thing. Also, the drive shaft is linked to the nose prop only. The engine nacelles under the wings are removable, and the example pictured in Ron Smith's book lacks them, making it a single-prop plane. The props are two-bladed brown plastic, and the engines have pressed metal radial engines wih only eight cylinders, for some reason, rather than the correct number, nine.
I have had this plane since the late 1990s and was pleased to get it, as they do not show up for sale very often, though when they do, they are not overly high priced like their 1930s toy ancestors.
This photo session is the first time the plane has been out of the display since 2001!