Ford Model 15-P

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.

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

Development

A press release in Jan 1936 said that Ford was designing behind closed doors a new "flivver" using its new V-8 engine.^[2]

Design

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]

Operational history

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]

Specifications

Data from Michigan Aircraft Manufacturers By Robert F. Pauley

General characteristics

• Capacity: 2
• Length: 14 ft (4.3 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft (10 m)
• Powerplant: 1 × Ford V-8, 115 hp (86 kW)

Performance

• Range: 430 nmi (500 mi, 800 km)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Dyke Delta