A45 Ford Trimotor
Two Ford Trimotor 'Tin Goose' aircraft were impressed into RAAF service from Guinea Airways on 6 February 1942 and were used as air ambulances in the casualty evacuation role.
A45-1 was a Model 5-AT-C with Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines that served with Nos 24 and 33 Squadrons until it crashed at Myola on 24 November 1942.
The second aircraft was a Model 4-AT-E fitted with Wright Whirlwind engines that also served with No 33 Squadron until it was destroyed in a Japanese strafing attack on 13 March 1942.
TECHNICAL DATA: Ford Trimotor
DESCRIPTION:
14-15 passenger transport (air ambulance)
POWER PLANT:
Three 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engines
WEIGHT:
Empty 3402 kg (7500 lb); loaded 6010 kg (13 250 lb).
DIMENSIONS:
Wingspan 23.72 m (77 ft 10 in); Length 15.31 m (50 ft 3 in); Height 3.66 m (12 ft 0 in).
PERFORMANCE:
Max speed 217 km/h (117 kt); Cruise 185 km/h (100 kt); Ceiling 20,500 ft (6248 m); Range 901 km (487 nm).
