Sunday, February 9, 2014

The Tin Goose and I

I've had a love affair with airplanes since I was a young lad emigrating to Canada at the age of 6 aboard a KLM Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation - that's another whole story. This week I had the rare opportunity to experience the thrill of flying in an even older vintage aircraft - a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor, affectionately known as the Tin Goose. I am indebted to my wife (who spotted an ad for flights aboard the Tin Goose) and 2 of my daughters (who presented me with the flight as a birthday gift).

Should you be so inclined, there's lots of information on this remarkable aircraft online. However, you can follow my experience below:

passengers (9) on each flight attend a brief safety overview (FAA requirement)
before the flight there's an opportunity to make some photos
the 'luxurious' interior - unlikely able to accommodate today's 'carry on' luggage

one of the 3 engines that hurtle you to your destination at 90mph (145kmph)

all aboard and ready for takeoff

captain and co-pilot are eager to go (Note: no locked cockpit door)

doesn't look quite as sleek as today's airliners

ok - check out the view



pulling back into the 'terminal' (ps - no security checks beforehand either)


If you ever get the chance to fly in this piece of history, don't let it go by. Check out this site for more information.


30 comments:

magda said...

Πόσο χάρηκα για σένα Rick!!!
Τι όμορφο δώρο γενεθλίων!!!
Με τις υπέροχες φωτογραφίες σου, μας ταξίδεψες στα ουράνια!
Καλή εβδομάδα!

Kirsti said...

Wow, on kaunis vanha lentokone. Oli varmaan mielenkiintoinen nähdä tämä.
Hienot kuvat :)

Anonymous said...

wat een pareltje!!! moet zalig zijn om daar eens mee te kunnen meevliegen!

biebkriebels said...

Wat een belevenis Rick, een geweldig kado. Zo leuk om ook de binnenkant van het vliegtuig te zien. Lucky you!

Lúcia said...

What a cool adventure, it really is something to remember!
Don't know when it is, but Happy Birthday Rick, have a wonderful journey! ;-)

Lisa Gordon said...

What a beauty this is, Rick,, and how fortunate you were to be able to fly in it!! Just amazing how different it looks from today's airplanes.

Happy Sunday to you!

Stephanie said...

Wow, nice to see the interior shots of this plane.

Joke (Joke's Camera) said...

This must have been exciting, Rick. You survived! Wow! That's really a small plane. Weren't you nauseous? You have taken gorgeous pictures. Mijn man en ik waren KLM'ers. Je blog spreekt me dus zeker aan. Hartstikke leuk cadeau trouwens. Groetjes, Joke

Manu World said...

I want to fly too!!!
;-)

Ruth Hiebert said...

Having lived with and loved someone who loved all aircraft,I can imagine what a thrill this must have been.Jake would have been thrilled at a chance like that.Beautiful views from in the air.

Michelle said...

How fantastic! Great shots from the air!

Linda said...

Very cool, Rick! I really love this series of photos!

seijastiina said...

Mielenkiintoista :)
Hyviä kuvia ja iloisia, tykkään ♥
Hyvää uutta viikkoa sinulle.

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Glad you enjoyed your day out. Great views.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Katherine said...

Oh wow! How lucky you are....it looks as though you had fabulous weather too. Happy Birthday Rick! Warm. birthday wishes from the land founder

Katherine said...

oh I forgot to say your photos are great! Great memories to reflect back on.

Katherine said...

oh my goodness me and my fat thumbs. It was meant to read land down under. :-)

Noushka said...

That must have been quite something to fly on this craft!
And you took fantastic pictures so I feel "a bit" like I was there!! LOL!
Great footage, Rick!

Waldameise Andrea said...

Wow, was für farbenprächtige, tolle Aufnahmen. Das muss ein einmaliges Erlebnis sein, in so einer Maschine über die Landschaft fliegen zu können.

Danke auch für den freundlichen Besuch.

Grüße von der Waldameise

Anonymous said...

That's a might fine plane! Lovely shots.

darlin said...

Wow, what an amazing experience! I'd love to take a ride in something like this, I might have a bit of fear going up but once I was up in the air I'd hope to sit back and enjoy. The plane sure is in fantastic shape and you did a remarkable job of capturing not only the plane, but the entire experience as well. Good on ya! :-)

Have a wonderful week Rick! Cheers.

Helma said...

Wat ontzettend leuk Rick om in dit vliegtuig te mogen meevliegen. Je bent al heel lang op vliegtuigen en dan mogen vliegen in deze antieke kist is natuurlijk een ervaring om nooit te vergeten. Prachtig om te zien en ook hele gave foto's :-)
Echt een hele leuk post Rick.

Grotjes, Helma

Marty said...

ah là là Rick, quel cadeau génial, quelle aventure ! magnifique avion, wonderful reportage ! j'ai adoré
et les windows sont grandes pour faire des photos ! génial
how lucky you are !
wish you a happy valentine's day
and I send you par air some flying bisous

weekend et coup de brosse said...

C'est un merveilleux cadeau d'anniversaire que tu as véçu là, ton post est très intéressant!
Magnifiques photos!
Bon week-end à toi. Cath

fus said...

El interior es genial y las fotos una maravilla.

un abrazo

fus

Pamela Gordon said...

That is awesome! What a fantastic plane. My hubby would love something like this. How fortunate for you to fly in it.

Halinka said...

Taka przygoda!!! Niesamowite zdjęcia!!!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

How fun! My hubby is an airplane geek but has never expressed a desire to fly. He simply loves plane and knows everything about them!

Betty Manousos said...

such a beauty, rick! how lucky you were to be able to fly in it.

absolutely enjoyed your photos!!
:))

Amelia said...

Hi Rick, wow....it sure very fun to be able to fly in this vintage aircraft, an unforgettable experience too.

Very spectacular scenery and the vintage plane look beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us.

Regards.