Vehicle

Wright Model D

Pioneer and Early Aviation Aircraft

The Wright Model D was a single-seat speed scout that the Wrights built in 1912 for the United States Army. It was a light, fast aircraft, similar in design to the Model R, and was powered by the last six-cylinder engine the Wright brothers built, a 70 horsepower unit that drove two counter-rotating propellers by chain. It was made of ash and spruce coated with aluminium powder and used forward-mounted finlets, which the Wrights called blinkers, for stability. It could fly at about 66.9 miles per hour and climb 525 feet per minute. Orville Wright considered it the easiest to control of any aeroplane they had built, apart from its high landing speed, and that landing speed discouraged the Army from ordering more. The Army acquired two examples in August 1912, accepted them in 1913, rarely flew them and retired both in 1914. The 1913 engine is on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Facts
Year
1912 1
Engine Class
Piston 2
Status
Retired from service 2
Connections

Exemplifies

Aviation, Modes
Source Wright Model D (Wikipedia)

Of Make

Source U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission: Later Wright Activities
In the Other Atlases

Manufactured By

Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.

Source U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission: Later Wright ActivitiesProduction paragraph
Quote, Production paragraph
In the years up through 1915 when Orville sold the Wright Company, the company produced several aircraft models.

Originated In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Source U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission: Later Wright ActivitiesLater Wright Activities, factory
Quote, Later Wright Activities, factory
the Wright Company set up a factory in Dayton, Ohio
Sources
1. U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission: Later Wright Activities
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
  • Model D paragraph
    The 1912 Model D was built for an army contract.
  • Of Make: Wright Company, Production paragraph
    In the years up through 1915 when Orville sold the Wright Company, the company produced several aircraft models.
View the Source
2. Wright Model D (Wikipedia)
  • Operational history
    were retired in 1914
  • Specifications, powerplant
    Wright 6-70 In Line 6 cylinder, liquid-cooled
  • In Group: Pioneer-Era Aeroplanes, Lead
    was built to sell to the United States Army for an observation aircraft
  • Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, aviation mode
    was built to sell to the United States Army for an observation aircraft
View the Source
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