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Heroes of the Sky


 

 

 

 

Entrepreneurs


Henry Ford's Aviation Ventures

The Flivver—A Failed Experiment
In 1925, Henry Ford initiated a special project to develop a small airplane that might prove as useful and affordable as the Model T, a so-called "air flivver." The first Flivver, demonstrated at the Air Reliability Tour in 1926, generated a great deal of press. A new, improved model broke a world’s distance record for small planes (972 miles between Dearborn and Titusville, Florida). But, unfortunately, soon after pilot Harry Brooks broke the record, the plane crashed and he was killed. After that, Ford stopped making Flivvers.

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the planes   make a paper airplane  
Teachers, get lesson plans and see the curriculum ties to the Heroes of the Sky.
See the planes on exhibit, check out the specifications and get a sneak peak in a few cockpits. Try one of these high- flying designs at home!

 






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institution not affiliated with the Ford Motor Company or the Ford Foundation.