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Wright Flyer test flights at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA, September 3, 1908
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Wright Flyer test flights at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA, September 3, 1908
Wright Flyer test flights at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA, September 3, 1908. In January 1908, as a response to a War Department request for a " Heavier-than-air Flying Machine", the Wright Brothers submitted a bid to design a plane for $25, 000. While Wilbur went to Paris to promote the Wright Flyer, Orville designed a plane for the Army Signal Corps. From September 3-17, Orville performed test flights at Fort Myer. On September 17th a split propeller caused the plane to crash, injuring Orville and killing his passenger, Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge. In spite of the crash the Army believed that the Wright plane would work. In July 1909, when Orville was able to fly again, he completed the test flights and surpassed all the Armys requirements for a military plane: to carry a passenger for at least 125 miles at a speed of 40 miles per hour and stay aloft for at least one hour, easily transportable, controllable and steerable at all times and in all directions, and land without damage. On August 2, 1909, the Signal Corps accepted the Wright Flyer as the worlds first military aircraft, naming it Signal Corps Airplane No. 1
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Media ID 24045169
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Aeroplane Aircraft Airplane Aviation Biplane Communication Flight Heritage Space Nasa Orville Wright Pilot Plane Research Research And Development Signal Corps Signals Test Testing United States Army Us Army Virginia United States Of America Wilbur Wright Wright Brothers Wright Flyer Wright Orville Wright Wilbur Air Transport
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This print captures a significant moment in aviation history - the Wright Flyer test flights at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA on September 3,1908. The Wright Brothers had responded to a request from the War Department to design a "Heavier-than-air Flying Machine" for $25,000. While Wilbur was promoting their invention in Paris, Orville took charge of designing a plane specifically for the Army Signal Corps. From September 3-17, Orville conducted test flights at Fort Myer with great success. However, tragedy struck on September 17th when a split propeller caused the plane to crash. Orville survived but his passenger Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge tragically lost his life. Despite this setback, the Army remained convinced that the Wright plane held immense potential. After recovering from his injuries and resuming flight operations in July 1909, Orville exceeded all expectations set by the military's requirements for a military aircraft. He flew over 125 miles at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour while remaining airborne for more than an hour - surpassing every criterion set by the Army. On August 2nd of that year, following these successful test flights and meeting all specifications flawlessly, Signal Corps Airplane No. 1 (not affiliated with any company) became officially recognized as the world's first military aircraft by being accepted into service by the Signal Corps. This iconic image serves as a testament to human ingenuity and determination as it immortalizes one of mankind's greatest achievements - conquering flight through innovation and perseverance.
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