Ford Tri-Motor DSC00105

This image was published in the Smithsonian's winter 2026 Air & Space magazine. Photograph taken in July 2022 at Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA. The rain during the night left puddles of water on the taxi-way which provided the opportunity to capture the reflection of the aircraft. The Ford Tri-Motor was built between 1925 and 1933. My wife and I had the privilege to take a short flight in a Ford Tri-Motor over southeast Michigan. There was a row of wicker seats on each side of the aircraft for a total of 10 passengers. Our pilot was a Boeing 747 pilot for Delta Airlines. He was enjoying his weekend flying a propeller driven aircraft. When the pilot applied engine power, it was quite loud and it vibrated like crazy! It was however a very smooth flight and I was amazed at how quickly the plane gained altitude. We circled over lakes and neighborhoods, staying below an altitude of 1800 feet in order to not interfere with Detroit Metro Airport's radar system. If you ever get a chance to fly on an vintage aircraft be sure to do it! It will give you a very rememberable experience and a great story to tell your friends and relatives! Link to magazine: airandspace.si.edu/air-and-space-quarterly/issue-17/ford_... Sony DSC-RX10M4, lens at 60mm, ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/60 second

www.flickr.com · Flickr