MARION — The first-ever mass-produced airliner will be making a visit to Marion later this week.

The Experimental Aircraft Association of Oshkosh, Wisconsin will show off the Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois Thursday through Sunday.

Colin Soucy, with EAA, says Henry Ford designed this plane believing airline travel would become a big industry and a huge driver of our country’s economy. He says this plane was a predecessor to planes built by Boeing and Douglas.

When the plane is not touring, its home is located at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, Ohio. Soucy says these planes were built from 1928 to 1935.

You will be able to ride in the plane for $75. Flights last about 12 to 15 minutes and you are only 1,000 feet up according to Soucy. Nine people can ride at the same time. No reservations are required.

Flights will be available on Thursday from 2 to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, go to flytheford.org.