Ford Model 15-P
The Ford Model 15-P flying wing was the last aircraft developed by the Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company.[1] After several flights resulting in a crash, the program was halted. Ford eventually re-entered the aviation market producing Consolidated B-24 Liberators under license from Consolidated Aircraft.
Development
A press release in Jan 1936 said that Ford was designing behind closed doors a new "flivver" using its new V-8 engine.[2]
Design
The Model 15-P was a two-passenger "flying wing" or tailless design.[3] It featured a rear-mounted Ford V-8 driving a tractor propeller with a driveshaft[3] The fuselage was steel tube with an aluminum covering and the wings were fabric-covered.[3] The landing gear was fully faired with large landing lights mounted in the fairings.[4]
Operational history
Several test flights were made by test pilot Harry Russell, but after an accident the aircraft was put in storage.[3] The aircraft was licensed by the Federal Bureau of Air Commerce in 1936, the same year Ford closed its aircraft division. The remains of the 15P were used to create a prototype autogyro, but all trace of the 15P disappeared when the autogyro was scrapped.[3]
Specifications
Data from Michigan Aircraft Manufacturers By Robert F. Pauley
General characteristics
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See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
References
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- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Ford, Ford-Stout". Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Ford Licenses Experimental 'Flivver' Plane, Re-enters Competition With V-8 Engine". New York Times. Jan 13, 1936.
- ^ a b c d e Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Pearce, William. "Ford 15P Personal Aircraft". oldmachinepress.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."New 'Flivver' Plane Made By Ford, Carries 2 Passengers And Baggage". The Hartford Courant. Jan 13, 1936.
