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The Wright Brothers’ 1902 glider represents some of the most important aerodynamic work ever done. With this glider, the Wrights proved out their theories on flight and solved the problems of mechanical flight. I built a full-size replica of the Wright 1902 glider and successfully flew it at Lake El Mirage, California, in November, 1972. Later, I donated it to the California Science Center. In year 2000 it was badly damaged during remodeling there and returned for repair. Instead of repairing it, I completely rebuilt it. If you have MS PowerPoint, download the file for better viewing. The file contains Speaker Notes. This new replica is now on permanent display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Story at http://www.rqriley.com/1902_glider.htm
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WRIGHT BROTHERS’ WRIGHT BROTHERS’ 1902 GLIDER 1902 GLIDER
First powered flight by Orville Wright December 17, 1903.First powered flight by Orville Wright December 17, 1903.
Celebrating More Than a Century of Powered Fight
For some years, I have been afflicted with the belief that flight is possible to man. My disease has increased in severity and I feel that it will soon cost me an increased amount of money, if not my life… Wilbur Wright – 1900
The 1902 glider preceded the 1903 Flyer, and validated the The 1902 glider preceded the 1903 Flyer, and validated the theories necessary for the conquest of the air.theories necessary for the conquest of the air.
By Robert Q. Riley
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PREDESSORSPREDESSORSA Few
Hiram Maxim, inventor of the machine gun, Hiram Maxim, inventor of the machine gun, attempted to fly this 7,000-lb machine in 1894.attempted to fly this 7,000-lb machine in 1894.
Otto Lilienthal’s experiments provided the Otto Lilienthal’s experiments provided the greatest inspiration to the Wright Brothers. Early greatest inspiration to the Wright Brothers. Early Wright designs were based on his work. Wright designs were based on his work.
Samuel P. Langley, Director of the Smithsonian Institute, Samuel P. Langley, Director of the Smithsonian Institute, made an unsuccessful attempt to fly only days before the made an unsuccessful attempt to fly only days before the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk. Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk.
Toy helicopter that first Toy helicopter that first sparked the Wrights’ sparked the Wrights’ Interest in flying. Interest in flying.
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How to Correctly Design WingsHow to Correctly Design Wings How to Correctly Design PropellersHow to Correctly Design Propellers Which Shapes Result in the Lowest Shapes Result in the Lowest DragDrag The Amount of Power Needed for The Amount of Power Needed for FlightFlight How to Control a Machine in the AirHow to Control a Machine in the Air
Wright Brothers’ wing warping system.
If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds….. Wilbur Wright - 1901
Their Theories Were Validated Their Theories Were Validated With the 1902 GliderWith the 1902 Glider
WRIGHT BROTHERS DISCOVEREDWRIGHT BROTHERS DISCOVEREDOR INVENTED…OR INVENTED…
Animation Courtesy Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company.
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FIRST REPLICA OF THE FIRST REPLICA OF THE 1902 WRIGHT GLIDER1902 WRIGHT GLIDER
Flown at Lake El Mirage, California, November 1972
Left to Right, Eugene M. Gluhareff, Robert Q. Riley, and “Duke”, discuss handling details after first flight (top, right).
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BUILT OF ASH & SPRUCEBUILT OF ASH & SPRUCEWrights steam-bent their curved components. Wrights steam-bent their curved components. They are laminated on the replica.They are laminated on the replica.
Wing-warping control cradle in laminating jig.Wing-warping control cradle in laminating jig.
Elevator leading and trailing edge members in jigElevator leading and trailing edge members in jig
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ELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEMELEVATOR CONTROL SYSTEM
Rear half of elevator control system mounted to Rear half of elevator control system mounted to lower elevator stay. Elevator is controlled by lower elevator stay. Elevator is controlled by twisting the one by two inch board. Notice twisting the one by two inch board. Notice cotton twine wrapped around elevator stay cotton twine wrapped around elevator stay along reinforced area.along reinforced area.
Front half of the elevator control system mounted to Front half of the elevator control system mounted to lower elevator stay. Notice the bicycle chain lower elevator stay. Notice the bicycle chain
wrapped around wooden pulleys.wrapped around wooden pulleys.
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WING ASSEMBLYWING ASSEMBLY
Ribs lined up for correct trim at leading edge
Front spar goes through front of skid
Laminated rib sections are lined up then moved cordwise for Laminated rib sections are lined up then moved cordwise for the best match of curvature. They are trimmed to length at the the best match of curvature. They are trimmed to length at the
front for installation. The trailing edge is trimmed later.front for installation. The trailing edge is trimmed later.
Spars are first assembled with “spreaders” Spars are first assembled with “spreaders” to hold the correct spacing and angle.to hold the correct spacing and angle.
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WING PANEL READY WING PANEL READY FOR FABRICFOR FABRIC
Ribs are tied to the rear spar.
Screwed & glued to front spar.
Finished upper right-hand wing panel.Finished upper right-hand wing panel.
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INSTALLING THE FABRICINSTALLING THE FABRIC Each Rib is in its Own Pocket
Fabric is Sewn on the Bias
Over 200 Feet of Hand-Stitching
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A SHIP IN A BOTTLEA SHIP IN A BOTTLE
The 32-foot wingspan would not have fit between a kitchen island and theThe 32-foot wingspan would not have fit between a kitchen island and theentertainment center if the wingspan had been only one inch longer. Duringentertainment center if the wingspan had been only one inch longer. Duringa celebration party, the tail extended out through a patio door on the left.a celebration party, the tail extended out through a patio door on the left.
Installing the riggingInstalling the rigging.
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In theIn the
CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTERCALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER
Being Hoisted into Place
Final display in the California Science Center
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Wright SnippetsWright Snippets
• Neither Orville nor Wilbur had graduated High School.
• Wilbur died in 1912 from typhoid fever at age 45.
• Orville died in 1948 at age 75. Four years earlier he had briefly taken the controls of a Lockheed Constellation.
• The Smithsonian Institute did not recognize the Wright Brothers as the first to fly until 1942. In dismay, the Wright Brothers shipped the 1903 Flyer to London where it was on display as the world’s first powered airplane. Shortly before his death, after an apology from the Smithsonian Institute, Orville gave his permission to have the Flyer returned to the U.S. for display in the Smithsonian.
• The Wrights believed that through aerial surveillance the airplane would bring an end to war. “We thought governments would recognize the impossibility of winning through a surprise attack… But we underestimated man’s capacity to hate and corrupt good means for an evil end”.
