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[[strikethrough]] In this activity t [[/strikethrough]] They became very skillful mechanics in both wood and metal work.

Their interest in aviation began as the [[strikethrough]] progressive [[/strikethrough]] early developments of the Wright [[strikethrough]] B [[/strikethrough] brothers became known. [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] This led them to an extensive study of soaring birds. In connection with this hobby they also became taxidermists and did considerable work for the New York Museum of Natural History.  

During this period they also made a large number of flying models, then in 1909 started to build their first [[strikethrough]] aeroplane [[/strikethrough]] airplane, called the "Osprey," which was completed in the spring of 1910. It was a monoplane of 28-foot wing span, somewhat resembling the early German Etrich plane, with the wing tips curved back at the ends similar to a bird wing. For this first plane they used an Emerson 4 cylinder, 2 cycle 45 [[strikethrough]] H.P. [[/strikethrough]] h.p. marine engine which they removed from one of their boats. For a first attempt this machine was an encouraging beginning. During May, 1910, in a field near their home at Baldwin, Albert, age 21, made the first brief hop, then Arthur, 23, the second. This plane gave them a start toward teaching themselves to fly that summer, doing brief short straightaway hops, in spite of continual engine trouble.

This plane was promptly followed by a more successful design using the same engine, which was so troublesome their progress was seriously hampered. Finally, their father decided that if they were determined to learn to fly they must have an actual airplane engine, so he bought them a new French-built 3 cylinder, 35  [[strikethrough]] H.P. [[/strikethrough]] h.p. "Y"-type Anzani engine. For this engine they built a new two-seat tandem monoplane with which they carried on their experiments through 1911 and 1912.

This third plane proved to be [[strikethrough]] quite [[/strikethrough]] an excellent machine and both brothers were soon flying very well and proposed to start a flying school. In May, 1912, they leased 20 acres of ground near their home for a flying field and advertised their planes in the aviation magazines of that time. They were able to carry a passenger with this plane and took their sister Violet for a ride, [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] she thus became one of the first female passengers in the United States. Having helped the brothers by sewing the wing coverings she was also one of the first American women in the

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