Ford Tri- Motor 1/33 Scale

[billy.leliveld]

Give me a couple of days to sort it out, and with the permission of mr Zorn, I could stick it into the downloads, and digitaly preserve one of the great "before computer" kits :D

[Ron40]

Billy,
I was thinking of also scanning it. However with the silver color
it might be difficult to get a good color comparison. It may require
a repaint. If it requires a repaint then it would seem logical to
do the interior and the airline liveries.......Ron

[billy.leliveld]

I have the same concerns as you Ron, I 'm curious how a scan will reproduce the original..

[deckape]

Originally Posted by Peter A. Zorn

Trimotor back story - I took on the design of this kit in 1981 with a few printing conditions. First, the publisher would not spring for a four color process run so I was limited to flat colors only and in this case black and flat silver ink. This made the colored graphic treatments, interior colors, etc, in the hands of the builder. My preferred method is to use colored magic markers, but, as we have seen here there are other methods that work as well.

The kit was designed before computers so each part had to be drawn and redrawn by hand with technical pens until the various pieces went together perfectly. Granted it is a simplified kit - many things I would do in a more complex and detailed manner today - but it had to be fool proof. My feeling is that if someone tries to build one of my creations and parts don't fit, they will become frustrated and never build another. I remember the first publisher I went to, who had done a number of famous buildings, and they would not allow the pages for the detailed instructions nor the pages for the history of the aircraft, They said they didn't care if anything fit - they were only interested in selling paper.

The second publisher allowed history and instructions but limited color.

While doing the research in the upper archives of the NSAM and copying hundreds of photographs I found the photograph on the top of page ten. Island Air Lines flew daily rounds from the Sandusky, Ohio mainland to the Lake Erie Islands. The book is dedicated to Ralph Dietrick the owner and pilot. The kid in the striped shirt is me. At that time, they sold every seat on the plane including the co-pilot's. I made sure to be the first in line and always got that seat. Flights were anywhere from fifteen to twenty minutes per leg and at least once per flight Ralph would lean over and shout "What's the oil pressure on number three? I would look out the window onto the large panel behind the engine, read the large oil pressure gauge and report back.

Thanks for doing such a great build. I followed it with a perverted interest and decided to remain out of the loop until it was completed. Bravo.

I have no problem with anyone who wishes to scan the pages to preserve the book. Someone can scan and make the kit available to others if you wish.

As for reissuing the book it is not something I am financially prepared to do. I am considering a redesign in a larger scale, but with a larger scale comes greater responsibility. I'll start with the engines and envision hundreds of parts each. This group seems to relish challenges and I'll hope to please.

press on -

Peter A. Zorn

Mr. Zorn
It is an honer to have you here on my build thread of one of your marvelous creations in paper. A lot of good reading and information on the creation of this kit.I feel that i really acheived something on this build and probably influenced a lot of great builders on this forum in to building one of these classic aircraft from a bygone age of flight. Haveing to build another one in a larger scale would be breath takeing. I salute you for being the designer of this kit and a great honer Sir A HARDY WELL DONE

[wag]

This is why I enjoy being a member of this forum. Not only do we get to see some magnificent builds but we get to hear from the designers as well.
Wayne

[kenlwest]

Simply put: A Masterpiece!

Ken

[Barry]

Another top quality job

[whulsey]

An excellent job, Master Boats. And a pleasure to hear from Mr. Zorn, thank you sir for a great design job.

[deckape]

Originally Posted by kenlwest

Simply put: A Masterpiece!

Ken

Ken
thanks for your reply to Ford Tri Motor this prabably is one of my favorite build and fit problem free that I have ever done. something that is almost 30 years old is a work of art from a top most designer, thank you Ken.

[deckape]

Originally Posted by whulsey

An excellent job, Master Boats. And a pleasure to hear from Mr. Zorn, thank you sir for a great design job.

Whulsey
thank you again for your wonderfull reply on my Ford Tri Motor build I hope I influenced you in to building one of these. I thanK You