Stout 2-AT Pullman
Encyclopedia
The Stout 2-AT "Pullman" or "Air Pullman" was a single engine all-metal monoplane that was used for early airline travel and air mail transport in America.
started in aviation working for Packard
on the Liberty engine during World War I
. He promoted early innovative designs such as a blended wing concept, and pioneered all-metal aircraft construction in America. The 2-AT was a more conventional layout using the familiar and plentiful Liberty engine of the time.
The first use of the nickname "Tin Goose" was applied to this aircraft by the news media. The name was later attributed to the Ford Trimotor
.
. The aircraft was under development as a Stout aircraft when Ford bought all controlling interests, creating the Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
. Development hastened with the infusion of resources from Ford.
Stout's chief engineer, George H. Prudden
, was credited for the new wing design using principles from Stout's earlier "thick wing" aircraft. Each 2-AT was powered by a Liberty engine, one example was tested with a Pratt and Whitney Wasp radial engine.
by E.G. Hamilton. While just completing the event would have won an award, the 2-AT completed it with a perfect score.At the Air tout, the first aircraft sale was announced. It was sold to John Wanamaker
& Co. to haul passengers and freight between Philadelphia and New York. Wanamaker's was a early seller of Ford products, and in turn became the first reseller of Ford aircraft, displaying the aircraft in their New York showroom. The 2-AT was listed in their lineup for $25,000.
The United States Postal Office ordered one model for airmail service. The aircraft was modified with a 500 hp Packard engine.
The aircraft were put into service for the newly-formed Ford Air Transport Service
in 1925. The first 2-AT was built at the Stout factory in Dearborn
and called the "Maiden Detroit". The other aircraft in the fleet were also 2-AT's, named "Maiden Dearborn I, II, III and IV". Initially the aircraft were for Ford's company use. The first scheduled commercial flights in America were begun when The "Maiden Detroit" flew 1,000 lbs. of freight between factories in Detroit and Chicago on April 14, 1925.
Ford Air Transport served routes between Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.
The "Maiden Detroit" entered Contract Air Mail
service on February 15, 1926. The aircraft flew from Detroit to Cleveland with the first commercial transport of air mail. The routes would be known as CAM-6 (Detroit to Cleveland), and CAM-7 (Detroit to Chicago).
Four aircraft were sold to Florida Airways
. The first three were given in exchange for a stake in the airline by Henry Ford. One was used on CAM-10 (Atlanta to Jacksonville).
On May 18, 1926 at Argo, Illinois, a Ford Air Transport 2-AT Maiden Deaborn I was involved in the first fatal accident for a commercial US aircraft. The Contract Air Mail pilot crashed and was killed due to flight into poor weather conditions.
In 1928, U.S. Commerce department declared the wings to be structurally unsafe. All remaining 2-AT's were scrapped.
Development
William Bushnell StoutWilliam Bushnell Stout
William Bushnell Stout was an inventor, designer whose work in automotive and aviation fields was notable. Stout designed an aircraft that eventually became the Ford Trimotor and was an executive at the Ford Motor Company.-Early years:William Bushnell Stout was born March 16, 1880 in Quincy,...
started in aviation working for Packard
Packard
Packard was an American luxury-type automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, and later by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana...
on the Liberty engine during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He promoted early innovative designs such as a blended wing concept, and pioneered all-metal aircraft construction in America. The 2-AT was a more conventional layout using the familiar and plentiful Liberty engine of the time.
The first use of the nickname "Tin Goose" was applied to this aircraft by the news media. The name was later attributed to the Ford Trimotor
Ford Trimotor
The Ford Trimotor was an American three-engined transport plane that was first produced in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and that continued to be produced until June 7, 1933. Throughout its time in production, a total of 199 Ford Trimotors were produced...
.
Design
The 2-AT was a high wing conventional gear monoplane. The aircraft featured wallpaper, padded seats, semi-circular opening windows, and a bathroom. It was the first all-metal aircraft certified in America. It was eventually redesigned to accommodate three engines, becoming the Stout 3-AT trimotor, and again redesigned to become the more well-known Ford TrimotorFord Trimotor
The Ford Trimotor was an American three-engined transport plane that was first produced in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and that continued to be produced until June 7, 1933. Throughout its time in production, a total of 199 Ford Trimotors were produced...
. The aircraft was under development as a Stout aircraft when Ford bought all controlling interests, creating the Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer founded by William Bushnell Stout. The company was purchased by Ford Motor Company in 1924 and produced the Ford Trimotor. In the height of the Depression, Ford closed the aircraft design and production...
. Development hastened with the infusion of resources from Ford.
Stout's chief engineer, George H. Prudden
George H. Prudden
George Henry Prudden, Jr. was an American aircraft engineer. He was instrumental in designing the first all metal aircraft in America.- Early life :He was born on February 18, 1893....
, was credited for the new wing design using principles from Stout's earlier "thick wing" aircraft. Each 2-AT was powered by a Liberty engine, one example was tested with a Pratt and Whitney Wasp radial engine.
Operational history
In 1925 the 2-AT was demonstrated at the Ford National Reliability Air TourFord National Reliability Air Tour
The Ford Reliability Tour, properly called "The National Air Tour for the Edsel B. Ford Reliability Trophy", was a series of Aerial Tours sponsored in part by Ford from 1925 to 1931 and re-created in 2003. Top prize was the Edsel Ford Reliability Trophy. Henry and Edsel Ford were shareholders in...
by E.G. Hamilton. While just completing the event would have won an award, the 2-AT completed it with a perfect score.At the Air tout, the first aircraft sale was announced. It was sold to John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker
John Wanamaker was a United States merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a "pioneer in marketing." Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:He was born on July 11, 1838.He opened his first store in...
& Co. to haul passengers and freight between Philadelphia and New York. Wanamaker's was a early seller of Ford products, and in turn became the first reseller of Ford aircraft, displaying the aircraft in their New York showroom. The 2-AT was listed in their lineup for $25,000.
The United States Postal Office ordered one model for airmail service. The aircraft was modified with a 500 hp Packard engine.
Ford Air Transport Service
Ford Air Transport Service is a defunct airline based in United States of America. The airline was also registered as Ford Air Freight Lines.- History :...
in 1925. The first 2-AT was built at the Stout factory in Dearborn
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
and called the "Maiden Detroit". The other aircraft in the fleet were also 2-AT's, named "Maiden Dearborn I, II, III and IV". Initially the aircraft were for Ford's company use. The first scheduled commercial flights in America were begun when The "Maiden Detroit" flew 1,000 lbs. of freight between factories in Detroit and Chicago on April 14, 1925.
Ford Air Transport served routes between Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland.
The "Maiden Detroit" entered Contract Air Mail
Airmails of the United States
Airmails of the United States or U.S. Air Mail relates to the servicing of flown mails by the U.S. postal system within the United States, its possessions, and/or territories, marked as "Via Air Mail" , appropriately franked, and afforded any then existing class or sub-class of U.S...
service on February 15, 1926. The aircraft flew from Detroit to Cleveland with the first commercial transport of air mail. The routes would be known as CAM-6 (Detroit to Cleveland), and CAM-7 (Detroit to Chicago).
Four aircraft were sold to Florida Airways
Florida Airways
Florida Airways is a defunct American airline. Founded in part by Eddie Rickenbacker and based in the state of Florida, the airline served the southeastern United States during the mid 1920s.- History :...
. The first three were given in exchange for a stake in the airline by Henry Ford. One was used on CAM-10 (Atlanta to Jacksonville).
On May 18, 1926 at Argo, Illinois, a Ford Air Transport 2-AT Maiden Deaborn I was involved in the first fatal accident for a commercial US aircraft. The Contract Air Mail pilot crashed and was killed due to flight into poor weather conditions.
In 1928, U.S. Commerce department declared the wings to be structurally unsafe. All remaining 2-AT's were scrapped.