The Bach Air Yacht of 1928 was a three-engined commercial transport with a maximum capacity of two crew and ten passengers.
The first Air Yacht was the 1928 N5082 c/n 1. Three more in the registrations are identified only as Air Yacht with no model designation: N3534 c/n 1 had a J-5 + two Kinners; N3997 c/n 1 had one Wright J-5 + two Siemens; N4184 shows nothing but a c/n 2.
1928 3-CT-2 Air Yacht NC7065 c/n 1 was a 10-place powered by one Wright J-5 + two 100hp Ryan-Siemens.
In 1928 two 3-CT-4 Air Yacht were built; NC7657 c/n 3 and N7658 c/n 4. Powered by one P&W Wasp + two 100hp Ryan-Siemens, both were 10-place.
The sole 3-CT-5 Air Yacht, built in 1929, NC7092 c/n 2 received ATC 2-98 and was powered by one 450hp P&W Wasp + two 130hp Comet. It too was 10-place.
The 1929 3-CT-6 Air Yacht (ATC 114) sold for $39,500 powered by one 525hp P&W Hornet + two 130hp Comet. A 12-place, five were built for Pickwick Airways (N219H c/n 10, N302E c/n 6, N388 c/n 5, NC539E c/n 7, and NC850E c/n 8 c/ns.
N19H and N388 were rebuilt into a single-engine, the latter as a sesqui-wing banana-duster with an added smaller lower wing. Used in 1933 in Honduras by United Fruit Company, registered XH-TRA.
Interesting is that N388E, pictured at top and shown in Summer 1967 AAHS Journal, is not in the registers—that number is worn by an Arrow Sport.
Four 10-place 3-CT-8 Air Yacht (ATC 172) were built in 1929 NC53M c/n 16, NC54M c/n 17, NC245K c/n 15, and NC8069 c/n 11. They were priced at $39,500.
The 1929 10-place 3-CT-9 Air Yacht (ATC 271) was powered by one 450hp P&W Wasp + two 225hp Wright J-6-7 engines and priced at $39,500.
At least three were built; NC511V c/n 21, NC520M c/n 18, and NC809M c/n 19.
ATC 2-175 was for one conversion to 7-pace Special NC809M.
The 3-CT-8 set a new altitude record, and the first ever for tri-motors, on 26 July 1929, carrying a 1000-kilo load (2220 lb) to 20,820′ piloted by Waldo Waterman), and two CTs came in first and second in multi-engine speed competition at the 1929 Nationals, piloted by William Brock and Waldo Waterman.
In 1931 two 3-CT-9K Air Yacht (ATC 2-376) were built; NC12206 c/n 22 and NC12297 c/n 23. 10-place, they were powered by one 420hp P&W Wasp B + two 210hp Kinner C-5.
The 1930 3-CT-9S Air Yacht (ATC 299) was a Deluxe “executive” version of 3-CT-9 with cowled engines (PW Wasp + two Wright R-760), wheel pants, and customized interior, priced at $40,000+. ATC 2-179 was superseded by ATC 299. One was built; NC317V c/n 20.
One 3-CTS Air Yacht built in 1930 NC2830 c/n 8 (ATC 2-104), was a 3-CT-8 modified with 450hp P&W Wasp + two 220hp Wright J-5 engines.
Air Yacht
Engines: 1 x J-5 + two Kinners
Air Yacht
Engines: one Wright J-5 + two Siemens
3-CT-2 Air Yacht
Engines: one Wright J-5 + two 100hp Ryan-Siemens
Seats: 10
3-CT-4 Air Yacht
Engines: one P&W Wasp + two 100hp Ryan-Siemens
Seats: 10
3-CT-5 Air Yacht
Engines: one 450hp P&W Wasp + two 130hp Comet
Seats: 10
3-CT-6 Air Yacht
Engines: one 525hp P&W Hornet + two 130hp Comet
Wingspan: 58’5″
Length: 36’10”
Useful load: 3261 lb
Max speed: 154 mph
Cruise: 126 mph
Stall: 60 mph
Range: 600 mi
Seats: 12
Price: $39,500;
3-CT-8 Air Yacht
Engines: one 525hp P&W Hornet + two 165hp Wright J-6
Wingspan: 58’5″
Length: 36’10”
Useful load: 3195 lb
Max speed: 157 mph
Cruise: 133 mph
Stall: 60 mph
Range: 590 mi
Seats: 10
Price: $39,500
3-CT-9 Air Yacht
Engines: one 450hp P&W Wasp + two 225hp Wright J-6-7
Wingspan: 58’5″
Length: 36’10”
Useful load: 2990 lb
Max speed: 162 mph
Ceuise: 136 mph
Stall: 60 mph
Range: 525 mi
Price: $39,500
Seats: 10
3-CT-9K Air Yacht
Engines: one 420hp P&W Wasp B + two 210hp Kinner C-5
Seats: 10
3-CT-9S Air Yacht
Engines: PW Wasp + two Wright R-760
Useful load 2807 lb
Range: 600 mi
Price: $40,000+
3-CTS Air Yacht
Engines: one 450hp P&W Wasp + two 220hp Wright J-5
Wingspan: 58’5″
Length: 36’10”
Seats: 12
All Aero 