Ford JR-1
Ford Aerospace · USA · first flew 1927 · transport aircraft
The JR-1 was the US Navy designation for the Ford 4-AT Tri-Motor, the famous all-metal three-engine transport pressed into service as a Navy utility and personnel transport. The Ford Tri-Motor was one of the most significant American transport aircraft of the late 1920s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 15.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- US Navy designation for Ford Tri-Motor
- Three-engine all-metal high-wing transport
- Corrugated Alclad skin construction
Instantly recognisable by the corrugated metal skin, three air-cooled radial engines (one in the nose, one under each wing), fixed undercarriage, and high-wing layout; the corrugated skin texture is unique in aviation history.
Specifications
- The Ford JR-1 has a length of 15.2 m (50 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.6 m (74 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 204 km/h (127 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Henry Ford's aircraft subsidiary produced the Tri-Motor from 1926 using an innovative corrugated Alclad aluminium alloy skin that gave exceptional rigidity without weight. The Navy procured examples as the JR-1 for transport duties, operating alongside the many commercial examples that pioneered US airline routes.
Variants
Several Ford Tri-Motor variants existed, including the 4-AT and 5-AT with different engine fits and passenger capacities. The JR-1 designation covered Navy procurement of this family.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the US Navy in small numbers for personnel and cargo transport in the late 1920s and early 1930s; the type remained in commercial service globally for many years and a handful of examples are still airworthy today.
Related aircraft
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