EHOVE Collision & Refinishing students had a unique opportunity to be part of an historical airplane restoration project happening now in Port Clinton. Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation asked the students and their instructor, Duane Koch, to assist with their restoration of a 1929 Ford Tri-Motor, known as the Tin Goose, which is one of only 199 all-metal airplanes that was produced by Henry Ford.
Under the direction of their instructor and the foundation, the 24 students assisted with a critical stage of the Tin Goose’s restoration, washing and degreasing the fuselage and wings as part of the prep for painting. This step removed many years of dust, debris and oil so the paint can properly adhere to the surface. With so many helping hands, the effort took only about two hours. See photos from the day.
“The EHOVE students did a great job,” said Jody Brausch of the Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation’s Board of Directors. “They worked hard and did a great service. We’re very grateful.”
In the Collision & Refinishing program at EHOVE, the students learn vinyl wrapping and how to fix damaged vehicles using professional techniques in welding, sanding, painting, and wrench work. Instructor Duane Koch said that being invited to participate in the Tin Goose restoration project was a great opportunity for the students to expand their real-world experience and get involved in a community project.
Brausch said the entire restoration is projected to be completed in about a year. Now that the first prep work is completed, the plane can be painted and assembled, and test flights can be performed. The group’s plans are to do history flights from Port Clinton out to the islands and back. The flights will be round-trip only, taking off and landing at Erie Ottawa International Airport. When completed, the Tin Goose will be one of five total Tri-Motors still flying.
The restoration effort was started in 2004 by a group of passionate people who appreciate the plane’s history, many of whom are pilots, but the original idea was conceived by Maurice Hovious, the country's leading Ford Tri-Motor authority. Through a collaboration with pilot Ken Benjamin, the ambitious restoration project was born.
Assembled in Dearborn, Michigan, the Tin Goose started flying in 1929 in Mexico City for Aero Mexico. In 1931, it was sold to Pan Am and flew the Key West, Florida to Havana, Cuba route for many years. In 1946, it was sold to Island Airlines and transported many from the mainland to the islands in Lake Erie and back. Sold to Johnson Flying Service in 1952, it was in the high-risk role of being a Montana smokejumper for only six weeks due to a crash, which included no injuries to the passengers. It remained there until 1984 when it was recovered for possible restoration.
“Restoring it has been a community-wide effort,” said Brausch. “We are super proud of their effort and the support from all over.”
For more information about EHOVE Collision & Refinishing, go to www.EHOVE.net. For more information about the Tin Goose restoration project, go to www.restoretheford.org.