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.

Ford Model 15-P
Role Light Aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
First flight 1935
Status Not produced
Number built 1

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 rearmounted 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

  • Capacity: 2
  • Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
  • Wingspan: 34 ft (10 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Ford V-8, 115 hp (86 kW)

Performance

  • Range: 430 nmi (500 mi, 800 km)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. "Ford, Ford-Stout". Aerofiles.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  2. "Ford Licenses Experimental 'Flivver' Plane, Re-enters Competition With V-8 Engine". New York Times. Jan 13, 1936.
  3. Pearce, William. "Ford 15P Personal Aircraft". oldmachinepress.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  4. "New 'Flivver' Plane Made By Ford, Carries 2 Passengers And Baggage". The Hartford Courant. Jan 13, 1936.
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