Model of Wright Biplane with starting derrick and rail, and wooden component from model, unmarked

This is a model of the aircraft that was used for the first public flying demonstrations given by Wilbur Wright near Le Mans in 1908 and built in the previous year in Dayton. The basic form of the machine is similar to the 1903 Flyer. However, the pilot sits up in this model and works all controls by levers. In the 1903 aircraft a prone pilot used a sliding hip cradle to control the linked rudder and wing-warping. The starting tower is shown to the rear of the model. A falling weight is used to accelerate the aircraft pulling through a rope and pulleys. This gave the Wrights more reliable take-offs on poor ground but was eventually abandoned in favour of a wheeled undercarriage.

Span 12.50m (41 ft)

Length 9.45 m (31 ft)

Weight 363kg (800 lb)

Power plant One 4-cylinder Wright engine of 24 hp (17. kW)