| Ford Model 15-P | |
|---|---|
| Role | Light Aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company |
| First flight | 1935 |
| Status | Not produced |
| Number built | 1 |
The Ford Model 15-P flying wing was the last aircraft developed by the Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company.[1] After several flights resulting in a crash, the program was halted. Ford eventually re-entered the aviation market producing Consolidated B-24 Liberators under license from Consolidated Aircraft.
A press release in Jan 1936 said that Ford was designing behind closed doors a new "flivver" using its new V-8 engine.[2]
The Model 15-P was a two-passenger "flying wing" or tailless design.[3] It featured a rear-mounted Ford V-8 driving a tractor propeller with a driveshaft[3] The fuselage was steel tube with an aluminum covering and the wings were fabric-covered.[3] The landing gear was fully faired with large landing lights mounted in the fairings.[4]
Several test flights were made by test pilot Harry Russell, but after an accident the aircraft was put in storage.[3] The aircraft was licensed by the Federal Bureau of Air Commerce in 1936, the same year Ford closed its aircraft division. The remains of the 15P were used to create a prototype autogyro, but all trace of the 15P disappeared when the autogyro was scrapped.[3]
Data from Michigan Aircraft Manufacturers By Robert F. Pauley
General characteristics
Performance