Stout Air Transport Ford
2-AT
('Maiden Dearborn')
The Ford metal aircraft were designed by William B. Stout, a former
engineer of the
Packard Motor
Co. The designs were influenced by both the European Fokker
and
Junkers models. He was
financianed and founded by Henry Ford and in April 1925
provided a daily express service between Chicago and Detroit. A
new airport base
was
built at Dearborn with modern hangars and an aircraft factory.
Service was
provided with four Ford 2-AT machines, named 'Maiden Dearborn I-IV'
. Official
US
registrations did not appear until 1926 and hence most airliners of the
time were
known
by name. The above shot is via the Ford Motor
Company.