OAK ISLAND — The first all-metal commercial passenger plane is parked at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport this weekend offering flights for anyone who wants a ride on the former “Air Force One” of the Dominican Republic.
Built in 1929 and severely damaged by a tornado in Wisconsin in 1973, the plane has a diverse and intriguing history.
“This airplane’s had nine lives,” captain Bill Sleeper said of the plane. “It’s been an American airplane, a Cuban airplane, a Dominican Republic airplane. It was one of the first airplanes configured for borate bombing to fight wildfires. Then it was used for smoke jumping in the Johnson Flying Service in Montana. It was a crop duster, a barnstormer. It’s been in movies. People have gotten married on this thing.”
IN PICTURES: The “Tin Goose” takes a ride over Oak Island and Southport
One of only eight Ford Tri-Motors currently in operation, the plane was first flown for Eastern Air Transport in 1929. The next two decades, it flew for Cubana Airlines and served as the Dominican Republic’s “Air Force One.” In the 50s and 60s it was used for crop dusting and smoke jumping operations.
“In 1973 the airplane was destroyed in a thunderstorm in Wisconsin,” Sleeper said. “A big tornado came and picked this airplane up out of its tie-downs and shredded it. The EAA then bought the carcass and spent 12 years restoring it, and it’s been flying on these tour programs ever since.”
It’s also appeared on the silver screen, including the 2009 Johnny Depp movie “Public Enemies.”
For $77 a seat, passengers can come to the airport (located at 4019 Long Beach Road) and book a ride on what Henry Ford called the “Tin Goose.”
View photos of the plane’s flight over Oak Island and Southport below:
Mark Darrough can be reached at Mark@Localvoicemedia.com or (970) 413-3815
