Possibly the most iconic aircraft???

[IanM]

It wasn't until much later after I took that picture that I realised that it was the original aircraft!!

[Saracenman]

THE original????????????????? really???????????????????

tell us more IanM please

sm

[Dan4th]

Ian! You've been to the Smithsonian!

My understanding was always that there were several
"original" Wright Flyers. After their first flight in 1903,
Orville and Wilbur kept perfecting their craft until they
could actually stay aloft, soar, turn with precision, etc.
US Army came to see a demonstration and let out a
deafening yawn. Wrights only wanted $100,000 for the
rights, but US Army declined to purchase their "toy".

Wrights then packed-up everything in storage for a few
years until 1908 when they sailed over to Frogland and
gave demonstrations. The French uttered a collective
"Sacre Bleu!" and it was off to the races! US Army finally
bought several for testing in 1909.

Smithsonian would, naturally, have the earliest example
available. Wrights were not particularly nostalgic about
their creations.....

Dan4th

[Saracenman]

usual Military Brass buffoonery then Danf? like those who remained convinced that a horse was easily a match for a machine gun?

so, the machine in the Smithsonian is not THE original then? that's what surprised me! I've certainly seen a couple of replicas (one's in the London Science Museum if my memory serves me correctly) - but does THE actual original exist somewhere or, as you say Danf, as they were clearly (and rightly so) more interested in developing the machine than nostalgia, was the 'original' modified to become something else?

many of the early pioneers came up with some stunning ideas - like Bleriot's wing-warping; I've often wondered why this idea hasn't been further investigated in this day and age? surely with modern materials it would be of huge benefit wouldn't it?

sm

[IanM]

Sounds kinda original to me

http://www.nasm.si.edu/wrightbrothers/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Fly ... mithsonian

[Saracenman]

doesn't it just! the true Aeroplane Mk.1

sm

[RLN]

Maybe not the first

http://chrisbrady.itgo.com/pearse/pearse.htm

[Mackrick]

Ian lovely photos .. Dan4th thanks for the snippet of history

[Dan4th]

SM: Wrights invented Wing Warping, Bleriot copied it.

NZ, Brazil (I think...) and Ruskies all claim first flight. There
are others, too!

Wrights, though, are pretty universally acknowledged to have
achieved first Controlled, Sustained Flight. This to say they
took off, stayed up for a while, did figure-eights and other
things while up there, and were able to land safely. When they
went to France, it was already old-hat to them. The one in the
Smithsonian probably IS the first one, but I'm betting that the
conservators had to remove some of the Wrights' modifications
to make it as first flown.

There's a vid I'll go look for and put up.....

Dan4th

[Saracenman]

SM: Wrights invented Wing Warping, Bleriot copied it..........

i think that LdV invented the concept - from watching birds - Bleriot is considered the one who 'perfected' it with heavier-than-air craft

he probably did copy it from the Wright Bros though

sm

[Dan4th]

SM:

Yeah, Leonardo invented LOTS of stuff -- On PAPER!

Helicopter, too.....

I'd give that to Sikorsky, myself.......

Bleriot COPIED Wrights.

Dan4th

[MadNaddy]

SM:

Yeah, Leonardo invented LOTS of stuff -- On PAPER!

Helicopter, too.....

I'd give that to Sikorsky, myself.......

Bleriot COPIED Wrights.

Dan4th

[Spitfire]

If I remember rightly there's a blurb in the Science Museum next to their replica saying that in the early days they had the original there in London - then it went over to the Smithsonian later at the request of the Wright brothers.

[IanM]

That is indeed correct and mentioned in one of the links I posted above.

In 1925, Orville attempted to shame the Smithsonian into recognizing his & Wilbur's accomplishment by threatening to send the Flyer to the Science Museum in London. The threat did not have its intended effect, and the Flyer went on display in the London museum in 1928. During the Second World War, it was moved to an underground vault 100 miles (160 km) from London where Britain's other treasures were kept safe from the conflict.

In 1942 the Smithsonian Institution, under a new secretary Charles Abbot (Walcott had died in 1927), published a list of the Curtiss modifications to the Aerodrome and a retraction of its long-held claims for the craft. The next year, Orville, after several correspondences with Abbott, agreed to return the Flyer to the United States. The Flyer stayed at the Science Museum until a replica could be built, based on the original.

[Spitfire]

That is indeed correct and mentioned in one of the links I posted above.

In 1925, Orville attempted to shame the Smithsonian into recognizing his & Wilbur's accomplishment by threatening to send the Flyer to the Science Museum in London. The threat did not have its intended effect, and the Flyer went on display in the London museum in 1928. During the Second World War, it was moved to an underground vault 100 miles (160 km) from London where Britain's other treasures were kept safe from the conflict.

In 1942 the Smithsonian Institution, under a new secretary Charles Abbot (Walcott had died in 1927), published a list of the Curtiss modifications to the Aerodrome and a retraction of its long-held claims for the craft. The next year, Orville, after several correspondences with Abbott, agreed to return the Flyer to the United States. The Flyer stayed at the Science Museum until a replica could be built, based on the original.

I thought I'd seen that last time I was at the museum - life in the old brain yet then

[Saracenman]

actually - Spitfire's arrival here has prompted me to think that THE most iconic aircraft is a Spitfire.

i bet, in a straw poll, more people around the world would be able to identify a picture of a Spitfire that ANY other aeroplane ever built.

sm

[Mayfly]

am I right in thinking they did a poll [may only have been UK] a couple of years ago & the spit was 1st with vulcan inthe top 3?????

[IanM]

actually - Spitfire's arrival here has prompted me to think that THE most iconic aircraft is a Spitfire.

i bet, in a straw poll, more people around the world would be able to identify a picture of a Spitfire that ANY other aeroplane ever built.

sm

I'm not sure about that. I know for one that when I was young I thought anything with a wing and a propeller at the front was a spitfire. I reckon Concorde is the most recognisable shape... or perhaps the Space Shuttle??

[Saracenman]

does the Spaceshuttle count?

you might be right about Concorde though - tough call me finks

sm

[Spitfire]

actually - Spitfire's arrival here has prompted me to think that THE most iconic aircraft is a Spitfire.

i bet, in a straw poll, more people around the world would be able to identify a picture of a Spitfire that ANY other aeroplane ever built.

sm

Simply the best

[Saracenman]

one of those very rare aircraft that looks sexy from ANY angle - even Concorde looked 'orrible from certain angles

sm

[RLN]

:ymapplause:

one of those very rare aircraft that looks sexy from ANY angle - even Concorde looked 'orrible from certain angles

sm

Shock, horror. String the bastard up by his gonads

[Spitfire]

:ymapplause:

one of those very rare aircraft that looks sexy from ANY angle - even Concorde looked 'orrible from certain angles

sm

Shock, horror. String the bastard up by his gonads

I love the shape of Concorde too - but I have to say it does look a little 'gangly' when on its wheels - they look too long for it somehow - in the air though another matter - and as we've said before no one ever says 'A' Concorde - its always just CONCORDE - now that does make it iconic

[Saracenman]

not THAT 'orrible - anyway, did Concorde have gonads????

I'd love to see the MOD sheet for THAT one!

[Dan4th]

Concord(e)'s gonads were obtained from the "dog", I am told.....

Dan4th