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History:
Aircraft were an important part of Ford Motor Company history, but most people remember only the Ford 
trimotor transports produced between 1926 and 1933. During that era the company also built a few experimental 
aircraft, among them the Ford Model 2A "Flivver" single seat personal plane. This "Model T of the Air" was designed 
by Ford employee Otto Koppen, a young engineer from MIT who recently graduated from the Massachusetts Institute 
of technology. Power for the Flivver was provided by a French three-cylinder Anzani engine. For a time, it was 
replaced by a two cylinder engine of Ford manufacture, but later the Anzani was reinstalled.

The first Ford Flivver was built in great secrecy, behind closed doors. It was completed and made its first public appearance on Henry Ford's 63rd birthday, July 31, 1926. the Flivver was flown that day by Harry Brooks, the son of 
one of Henry Ford's neighbors.

On August 10,1927 Detroit-born Charles A. Lindbergh arrived in Detroit on his tour of America following his 
epoch making flight in May. He reviewed the Flivver and asked Mr. Ford if he could fly it. "Of course", replied Ford, 
"but you will be only the second person to do so."

In Late 1927 a second Flivver, also designed by Koppen. This design was larger, featured a steel-tube 
fuselage, and a fabric-covered low wing of wood construction. The Ford two-cylinder engine was suppose to develop 
40 hp but actually delivered only 29hp.

Brooks departed Detroit on February 21, 1928 bound for Miami in an attempt to set a new distance record for
aircraft under 1.000 pounds gross weight. Mechanical trouble and bad weather forced the attempt to be terminated at Ashville, NC. On February 25, 1928 Brooks departed Detroit again, bound for Miami. He had a starting sendoff by Edsel
Ford, and Henry was waiting for him in Miami. A fuel leak forced a landing at Titusville, FL, but the non-stop distance of
1,010 miles set a new record. On this flight, the Flivver used 40 gallons of its available 52, and the average speed was
78 mph.

On February 25th, late afternoon, with fuel leak repaired and a new propeller, Brooks started for Miami. He had
only traveled 40 miles to near Melbourne, FL when his aircraft was observed to plunge into the water just off the beach. Brook's body was never recovered, but the wreckage washed ashore early the next morning, with the seat belt harness unbuckled.
The Ford family ordered all further development of the Flying Flivver be discontinued. The first Flivver is on 
display in the Ford Museum in Dearborn MI.

Specifications:
Wingspan: 21 ft. 9 in. 
Empty weight: 350 lb.
Horsepower approximately 35
Speed: 85 mph

Thanks to those who faithfully answer many questions on the fltsim/flt shop message boards. Thanks to author 
D.B. Mathews, who wrote an article in AMA Model Aviation July 1995, which the history was arranged, and to William's Brothers for their scale model kit and documentation. This aircraft is freeware. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from its use. The original unaltered files may be freely distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared. Please maintain proper credit, of course, and make no financial gain whatsoever. 

Thanks to all who are adding the creatativity and innovation to the FLIGHT SIM WORLD and to the R/C Hobby !!!!!!!

This project, as all my Flivver's are.......designed.......... "In the Memory of Harry Brooks"

- Keith Schevling

Aircraft | Flying Sites | Trim Schemes | Recordings | Contributing a new file