1912 Wright Model C

hile the Model B had triangular blinkers angled back along the front skid struts, its follow-on, the Model C, had large vertical blinkers. It also offered dual controls, so both left and right seat pilots used their right hands on the warp/rudder control.

The Model C had a 38-foot span; 440 sq-foot area; 6-foot chord; 5-foot separation, 29.8 feet length; and weighed about 1,090 lb.

Although a few C's had the 4-cylinder motor, most had the powerful new 6-cylinder motor. The additional power made them difficult to handle. After several pilots died in crashes of Wright Model C and Curtiss pusher airplanes, the Army banned pushers in late 1914 in favor of the new-style tractor airplanes with enclosed fuselages.

References:

McFarland, Marvin W. (ed), "The papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright." McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1953, p 1201, plate 212.
Loening, Grover C., "Takeoff into Greatness." G.P. Putnam's Sons, NY, 1968, pp 66-67.

[Submitted by Joe W. McDaniel]

A brand new Wright Model C on the factory floor in 1912.

Back to the top