The Tin Goose - Part One

I have Tuesdays and Thursdays off so on a whim I noticed in the morning newspaper that a unique plane was going to be on exhibit and even giving rides at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Beautiful day (aren't they all?) so I hopped on the Beast for a 30-40 minute trip. After a rather difficult time finding the plane at the north end of the airport I finally found the place and grabbed my camera.

So, this is the Tin Goose. Manufactured on August 21, 1929 and was purchased by Pitcairn Airways, who started Eastern Airlines with it and its sister ship. On October 1, 1930 the plane was sold and moved to Cuba where it inaugurated Cubana Airlines. In August of '46 it became the Air Force One for the Domican Republic. After that it became a crop duster, and then a smoke jumper and borate bomber for the Forest Fire Service.

The plane was used in the Johnny Depp movie “Public Enemies” and the Jerry Lewis movie “Family Jewels.” “Everyone’s seen ‘Casablanca.’ The plane at the end of the movie is a Ford Tri-Motor,” he said. “The whole final scene takes place in front of one.”

Everyone gets a window seat and there are 9 seats.

It went through a 12 year restoration that was completed in 1985. It now works for its upkeep funds by offering rides throughout the US.

Only a 199 of these were ever built. 5 survive in the US and this is the only still flying.

This was the first passenger plane in commercial aviation.

I could have taken a ride for $80 but I really just wanted to get some pictures.

This is based out of Appleton Wisconsin, but earns its keep by giving rides.

Built out of corrugated tin, thus the Tin Goose.

In 1973, the plane was wrecked during a windstorm in Burlington, Wis. EAA then purchased the plane, restored it and flew it again in 1985, Messenger said.

Trademark corrugated tin skin.

Cabin area isn't at all plush, but they tried to spruce it up a little.

Comments

Flashback Friday

Class, Or Lack Thereof The Dwight Vice gravestone in Oquawka, Illinois. I bring this old chestnut out every so often just to remind me that class is classless. Dwight Vice was killed in his home near Oquawka in 2001. It was one of those things that can generate crime: two guys thought Dwight had a lot of money stashed at home because of his pot-selling sideline to supplement his fishing job. Not really one of those big drug deals gone-bad things. Marijuana was, according to the trial, about the only stuff Dwight sold. But these two guys barge into the house and killed Dwight and attempted to kill his 11 year old kid, Darryl, before they took off with what money they could find. His son, now 23, was stabbed in the back and left for dead. He survived and is wheelchair bound and has undergone several surgeries to repair his wounds. He will be paralyzed for life. None of this is pleasant. Reading the facts of the murder and attempted murder are most unpleasant

Summer Swim

It's Monday and the start of another work week. Except for me. I have the week off because the parents of my daycare charges are taking the week off, too. This is one of those wordless posts I love on Mondays so I can put my laziness in full view of loyal readers. These pics need no words. Why muddy the waters? They were taken at the pool at Sinkhole Estates aka Death Valley. The nice thing about this pool is it is heated in winter. If one must find positives in one's situation, I suppose that is one. But, please, no more.

Florida Air Museum - Part 3

Welcome back to a pretty neat tour of the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland Florida. There's a lot to see and a couple of the old Geezer Gold Wing guys are already sitting down instead of walking around looking at the exhibits. That's John who is wore out and making a call to his wife. In all honesty, John was pretty well bushed before the ride. He told me his daughter's family was down from one of the Carolina's with the grand kids and he must have played with them too much. He's about to take off on his own and head for home, but he's going to miss a couple of neat things out on Hangar A. But, before we walk over there, we have lots yet to see here. If you saw The Aviator with Leonardo DiCaprio playing Howard Hughes, you'll remember that he went up in a plane during the filming of one of his movies to prove a point about flying. He crashed trying to execute a roll and this is a picture of the plane he crashed. Note the propeller

Existing In BFE

Search This Blog