Bushmaster 2000

The Revival of the Ford Tri-Motor

In 1954, Bill Stout acquired the rights to the Ford Tri-Motor with the goal of building a simple and inexpensive short-haul passenger aircraft for local airlines. The designer planned to replace the fuselage and wing materials, instruments, windows, and power plant. Due to licensing issues, the new project was named the Stout Bushmaster 2000.

Technical Specifications and Delayed Development

Following the designer’s death in 1956, development was delayed for a full twelve years. The prototype’s (N7501V) first flight took place in 1966. It was a twenty-five-seat cantilever high-wing monoplane, equipped with three nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior engines, each producing 450 hp (336 kW), with Hartzell HC-B3R30-2E three-bladed propellers.

Production and Service

The first Bushmaster 2000 was built by Aircraft Hydro-Forming Inc. and was intended for “American Airlines”. The second aircraft (N750RW) was completed later, in 1985, by Bushmaster Aircraft Corporation.

Technical Specifications

Modification	Bushmaster 2000
Wingspan, m	23.75
Aircraft length, m	19.52
Aircraft height, m	4.09
Wing area, m2	79.10
Empty weight	3402
Maximum takeoff weight	6750
Engine type	3 Piston engines Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 Wasp Junior
Power, hp	3 x 450
Maximum speed, km/h	210
Cruising speed, km/h	185
Practical range, km	1127
Crew	2
Payload	normally – 15 passengers, maximum – up to 23 passengers

Image and diagram gallery of the Bushmaster 2000

Bushmaster 2000	Bushmaster 2000
Bushmaster 2000	Bushmaster 2000
Bushmaster 2000