The Ford Tri Motor was designed as a cargo transport and passenger airliner and first flew in 1925. Between 1925 and 1933, about 200 of these aircraft were produced. Although the aircraft looked the same in design, many different engine configurations and features were options for specific customer requests. The aircraft was used all over the world as a civil aircraft and for military use. The aircraft was claimed to be the safest around and used an all metal construction of corrugated aluminum alloy which was strong but increased drag. The design was a leap over other airliners at the time and kept with the Ford tradition of being reliable and inexpensive to operate. The simple design allowed repairs to be made "in the field" and quickly. For the time, the aircraft offered comfortable and reliable passenger service.
The Tri Motor survives today in museums and one flying with the EAA continues to tour the country and offer rides. The aircraft has also been seen in several flims, most recently the Johnny Depp flim Public Enemies. Another Tri Motor is on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
Authentic Models is one of the few companies to offer a large scale, pre assembled model of the legendary Tri Motor. The airplane is an interesting piece which will generate a conversation and certainly bring to life the time of the early airliners in a model airplane collection.
The Trimotor arrives in a big box with the wings not attached to the aircraft. This is done by simply screwing them onto the aircraft with two screws located on the bottom of each wing. A second box contains a polished metal display stand which has to have the arm screwed onto the base. The stand is impressive in the size and weight and has to be the best stand for any mode airplane I have ever seen. Two small holes in the bottom of the airplane allow the aircraft to be put on the stand.
The model can be displayed off its stand as the landing gear is strong enough to support the model easily. The model is a large model with a wingspan of about 40".
The model features many realistic details such as metal exhaust pipes, authentic looking engines and the classic wheel fenders the Tri Motor had. The best feature by far is the construction of the model. It has corrugated aluminum over its wood frame just like the original Tri Motor. This creates a tremendously realistic looking Tri Motor model. If you look inside the cockpit and passenger area, seats are in there as well. Unfortunately the cockpits can't be opened to access these areas to add some passengers. It would be a nice touch, but is not needed and the model does fine without this feature.
The propellors simply slide on and then are secured with a propellor nut. Early models this company did had three blade props which is not correct. Authentic Models made the correction and the model now comes with correct two blade propellors. The control surfaces do move on the model and the corrugated surfaces do show some blemishes, but Authentic Models wants these planes to appear to be handbuilt, so they do not want them to be picture perfect. The natural metal finish is nice though a decorative airline version would be nice for some color. With the way the aircraft can be taken apart and the simple design, a customizer could easily make this into an airline version or add custom markings.
Overall, this model is an amazing piece. It is a seldom done aircraft in a large scale and with detail that will easily make people take a second look. The model is well built and looks right for the aircraft and the features. Although pilots in the cockpit would be nice and a choice of markings would be interesting, it is not needed. The model could easily be customized and the natural metal finish really gives an antique feel to the piece. The display stand is very well built and one of the best I have ever seen. This model gives glory to the old Ford Tri Motor that certainly made a major contribution to commerical aviation.
, that is really nice, with it being aluminum over wood I bet it has some weight to it?, just when I think I'm not wanting anything else, I have to see something as nice as that 
