in Reed Photo Collection (1898-1960)
Wright Flyer Test Flights at Fort Myer, VA
On this day in September 17,1908, the first military airplane in the world, built by the Wright brothers for the Army Signal Corps, made its first flight at Fort Myer, Virginia. Less than a thousand people witnessed the first flight at Fort Myer, because the general public was still doubtful that powered flight had been achieved. But Lewis Reed was there… and to commemorate that milestone, I have posted six original snippets of history that Lewis Reed captured through the lens of his camera that day.
Wright Brothers Military Flyer in its hangar at Fort Myer, Virginia. Photo by Lewis Reed
Five years after the first successful flight at Kitty Hawk, Orville Wright and Thomas E. Selfridge test flew the Wright Flyer in a demonstration for the U.S. Army at Fort Myer, VA. The Army was considering contracting Wright's aircraft to use as a military airplane, but, in order to win the contract, he needed to demonstrate the plane's ability to carry a passenger. Twenty-six-year-old Lt Thomas E. Selfridge volunteered to be a passenger that day. Orville Wright succeeded in keeping the Wright Flyer aloft for one minute and 11 seconds. After more than four minutes in the air, the airplane crashed to the ground from a height of about seventy-five feet after a propeller blade broke and the machine went out of control. Orville Wright was severely cut and bruised and his passenger, Lt. Thomas Selfridge, became the first powered-aviation fatality.
Another early aircraft from 1909 was the Bleriot XI monoplane. Photo by Lewis Reed
Curtiss Model D. Photo by Lewis Reed
Curtiss Model D with tricycle undercarriage. Photo by Lewis Reed
Wright Model B with skids. Photo by Lewis Reed
Airplane Hangars at Fort Myers, Virginia. Photo by Lewis Reed
The Wrights would prove their machine's qualifications at Fort Myer. They met or exceeded all of the Army's specifications, including flying at 40 miles per hour, carrying a combined passenger weight of 350 pounds, maneuvering in any direction in the air, landing without damage, and flying for at least an hour non-stop, which was a world record at the time.
Tags: 1908 Wright Military Flyer, Fort Myer VA, Lewis Reed photos, Orville Wright, reed brothers dodge, Reed Photo Collection, Wilbur Wright, wright brothers, Wright Brothers Flying Demonstration at Fort Myers, Wright Flyer at Fort Myer Virginia., Wright Flyer demonstrations, Wright Military Flyer
6 responses to "Wright Flyer Test Flights at Fort Myer, VA"
Jonathan B. Richards II says : September 17, 2018 at 12:18 am
Hello , again , Ms. Jeanne Gartner,
What a delightful series of six (6) historic photographs of early aviation history taken taken on September 17, 1908 by your grandfather Lewis Reed. I am sure you have shared these with the flying machine enthusiasts and historians. Your blog always has interesting material to study and enjoy. Keep up the good work.
Reed Brothers says : September 17, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Thanks for your nice comment, Jonathan. So glad you enjoyed the article. It means a lot to me when I hear encouragements like this. You made my Monday! 🙂
Patrick Kernan says : September 17, 2018 at 8:49 am
Beautiful work. Mind blown!
Thanks, Patrick! I really appreciate your comment.
William Reed says : September 17, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Awesome! Your Mom told me about those photo's years ago. It is great to finally see them!
Reed Brothers says : September 17, 2018 at 1:07 pm
Thanks, Bill! Glad you enjoyed the pictures.