1903 Wright Flyer Drawings

Summary
Collection ID:
NASM.1986.0152
Creators:
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.)
Ford Motor Company.
Science Museum of London
Dates:
1928-1986
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
9.3 Cubic feet
(3 48"x36"x3" drawers)
Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of drawings of the 1903 Wright Flyer executed at various times during the life of the aircraft: Science Museum of London Drawings -- commissioned when the aircraft was on loan to the Museum; Ford Drawings -- sponsored by the Ford Motor Company which were supervised by Orville Wright and Charles Taylor; Christman Drawings -- drafted by Louis Christman who consulted with Orville Wright and other sources; and the National Air and Space Museum Drawings -- commissioned by the Museum during the 1985 restoration of the Wright 1903 Flyer. These drawings include three view drawings as well as both the airframe and engine components.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
The Wright 1903 Flyer holds a special place in aviation history as the vehicle in which mankind first achieved controlled, powered, and sustained flight. The Wrights made no drawings of the aircraft when they originally built it and they continuously modified the craft during flight tests. The aircraft also underwent modifications due to damage suffered following its last flight, and the reconstruction work of 1916 and 1925-1927. Thus, there will always be some doubt about the exact configuration of the aircraft during the 1903 flights.
Administration
Existence and Location of Copies
Microfiche
Immediate Source of Acquisition
NASM, Science Museum of London, Ford Museum, Gift/Transfer, 1986-0152, Some NASM
General
General
NASMrev
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access
Some restrictions on distribution.
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
More Information
Keywords
Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Aeronautics Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Aeronautics -- 1903-1916 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wright (Brothers) 1903 Flyer Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Drawings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Christman, Louis Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taylor, Charles Edward, 1868-1956 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wright, Orville, 1871-1948 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Science Museum of London Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ford Motor Company. Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Air and Space Museum (U.S.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Repository Contact
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu
https://airandspace.si.edu/archives