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TIMES JULY 30, 1939 FROM KITE TO FLYING FORTRESS [[image of first Write plane]] [[caption]] 1909 The first Wright plane was a biplane with a wingspread of forty feet, and weighed about 800 pounds. The control surfaces were out in front. It had two propellers driven by a 25 horsepower engine, and made 42 miles an hour. It was very crude; it was full of struts and wires, and had no flying instruments. It flew only on calm days. In the picture are, left to right: Lieut. B. D. Foulois, Wilbur Wright, Lieut. Frank P. Lahm and Orville Wright. [[/caption]] [[image, Martin bomber in flight]] [[caption]] 1919 This Martin bomber shows the swift development of the airplane in ten years, largely forced by the war. It was judged at the time so remarkable a plane that it was placed in the Smithsonian Institution. It had a wingspread of 71 feet, and two 400 horsepower Liberty motors gave it a speed of 118 miles an hour. It carried a crew of four, and five machine guns. [[/caption]]
Transcription Notes:
https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/1909-wright-military-flyer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_MB-1