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ll of the Wright airplanes in our Virtual Hangar are available for educational presentations, air shows, and exhibitions. We also have  many artifacts that help tell the story of the Birth of Aviation, including Wright bicycles, the Wright wind tunnel and balances, even 1903 Wright Flyer simulators that let folks lay down and fly like the Wright brothers. Depending on your needs, we can bring you a single airplane, or we can put together a special package of airplanes and artifacts just for you.

Each of our aircraft come with interpretive signage to explain the airplane, its specifications, and its significance.  We can also provide short DVD filmlets on each aircraft that show it in flight and demonstrate its features. You can set the aircraft on stands (which we supply) or you can suspend them with harnesses (which we also supply) provided your structure will bear the weight safely. The aircraft that we offer include:

Click on a photo to enlarge it.
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A display of WBAC aircraft at the Dayton Air Show 2003.
  • The 1899 Wright Kite; a model glider that was the test bed for the Wright's first aeronautical experiments. The wingspan of this small aircraft is approximately 6 feet, and its length is 2 feet. It weighs about 4 pounds. Video available:
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1899 Wright Kite replica.
  • The 1900 Wright Glider, their first manned aircraft in which they took their first short flights.

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1900 Wright Glider replica.
  • The 1901 Wright Glider, which convinced the bothers of the need for basic research in airplane design.


1901 Wright Glider replica.
  • The 1902 Wright Glider, the world's first fully controllable aircraft and the basis for the grandfather patent of the airplane. Space required for 1902 glider: 17' x 32'. If you want to hang it, the weight is 112 pounds.

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1902 Wright Glider replica.
  • The 1903 Wright Flyer I, which made the first sustained, controlled powered flights.
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The  1899 kite and 1902 glider are part of The Spirit of Dayton Project, a "portable museum" of pioneer aviation that also includes the 1878 Wright "Bat," a rubber band-powered helicopter Will and Orv built when they were kids;  the 1901 Wright Wind Tunnel,  a scientific device that enabled them to refine their airplane designs, a replica of an 1896 Wright Bicycle, and a vintage printing press set up to print the 1886 Midget, the Wrights first attempt at newspaper publishing. Each artifact is accompanied by interpretive displays and we demonstrate all of them. In the case of the gliders, we show both photos and video clips of our test flights. Additionally we have special displays. In 2002, our portable museum will include The Lost Flights of the Wright Brothers, 14 newly discovered photos of some of the earliest experimental and exhibition flights of the Wright brothers. All of our artifacts and displays can be set up in an enclosed space (20' x 40' or larger), or we can bring a large tent to house the museum, weather permitting.
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1878 Wright "Bat," the toy that got the Wright brothers thinking about flying
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Vintage letterpress, set up to run off copies of The Midget, the Wrights' first newspaper.
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Replica 1896 Wright "St. Clair" bicycle.
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1901 Wright wind tunnel.
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And, of course, we bring Wilbur and Orville. The kid is extra.
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We do constant informal demonstrations of these artifacts. Whenever possible, we let our younger visitors operate them.
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The glider, kite, and other artifacts can be arranged in any 20' x 40' space.
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If you wish, we can bring our own 20' x 40' tent. All of these items, including the glider and the tent, pack into a medium-size trailer. This keeps of shipping costs down and helps us keep our fees reasonable.
Note: If you'd like to display the 1902 glider by itself without the museum, that can be arranged. Frequently, we also show and demonstrate the 1899 Wright Kite or the 1901 Wright Wind Tunnel by themselves. 

1900 Wright Glider

The 1900 Wright Glider is based at Jay's Restaurant (super food!) in the Historic Oregon District of Dayton, Ohio, but we take it on the road whenever its requested -- or whenever we feel like flying it. In short, it's available if you want it. We can either add it to the portable museum of bring it by itself.  Space required: 10' x 18'. If you want to hang it, the weight is 52 pounds.

1901 Wright Glider

The 1901 Wright Glider will go on display at the Dayton International Airport soon, but like the 1900 glider, it will travel should you want it. Space required: 14' x 22'. If you want to hang it, the weight is 98 pounds.

All of these aircraft are available to be displayed as part of our portable museum or without it. Normally, we set the gliders up on their own stands about 2' off the ground so viewers can see as much detail as possible (and we can get kids in and out of the cockpits). However, if you'd like to hang the gliders, we have harnesses for all three.

If space is at a premium and you have a high ceiling, we have a special stand for the 1902 glider that raises it 9' in the air! People can walk around beneath it, looking up at it. On occasion, we've set the 1902 glider on these stands for a testimonial or other celebration and people have dined beneath the wings.

Fees and Shipping Costs

Our fees and expenses depend on the venue in which you want us to present our aircraft and how far away you are from Dayton, Ohio. For presentations and demonstrations over 400 miles distant for Dayton, Ohio (one way), we require a minimum 2-day engagement. Over 800 miles away, 3 days.

To hire "The Spirit of Dayton" Portable Museum, including 1902 Wright Glider, 1899 Wright Kite, 1878 Wright Bat, 1886 printing press, 1896 Wright bicycle, 1901 Wright Wind tunnel, and "The Lost Flights of the Wright Brothers" display, the costs are as follows. 

  • For elementary and secondary schools $600/day
  • For universities, museums, and non-profit educational concerns $750/day
  • For air shows, festivals, and commercial concerns $950/day
  • Additional Wright gliders (1900 and/or 1901), add $250/day for each glider
  • Gliding demonstrations (weather dependent, available only in geographic locations similar to North Carolina Outerbanks) $1250/day for each glider

For engagements in calendar year 2003, add $350/day.

  • Shipping to transport gliders (within continental US and Canada) $0.50/mile both ways from Dayton, Ohio
  • Per diem, each crew member (up to 2 persons for static displays, up to 4 for gliding demos), including both travel days and presentation days $75/day
  • Tent rental (one time charge) -- we provide the manpower for set-up and tear-down: $350.
    You help: $125.

Shipping charges are the same for up to 3 gliders. They may change, however, depending on the cost of fuel.

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The 1902 glider up on stands. The ceiling must be at least 15' high.

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Once on its stands and the stands are secured, people can walk beneath the glider safely and comfortably.

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In September 2001, we displayed and flew all three of the Wright brothers' glider and their kite. (Three photos above.) Makes a handsome and engaging display, don't you think?

All Six Experimental Wright Aircraft:
The "Birth of Aviation" Program

We are currently building the 1903 Wright Flyer 1 and 1905 Wright Flyer 3. Both of these will be available for shows and presentations later in 2002. As soon as they are on the road, we will include them here. We also plan to offer a special Birth of Aviation package -- all six experimental aircraft that the Wright brothers made between 1899 and 1905 in their quest for a practical airplane. This will allow the folks who see this unique display to trace the progress of innovative thought that gave the world its wings. 


The real 1905 Wright Flyer 3. Ours will look a little newer.
To arrange a presentation or an exhibition of our aircraft, contact:

Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company
P.O. Box 204
West Milton, OH 45383
(937) 698-3619

mailto:[email protected]

 


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