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A collection of five photographs taken by George Otis Wilson, Sr. at the U.S Army military trials of The Wright (Co) Type A flyer at Fort Myer, Virginia in 1908.
The U.S. Army Signal Corps advertised for bids for a two-seat observation aircraft and in September 1908 and June and July 1909, the Wrights flew at official Army trials at Fort Myer, Virginia. (It was here that powered flight's first fatality occurred: the tragic death of Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge.) A number of other demonstration flights were made, and records set, during this time period. The Army was to purchase the Wright (Co) Type A Military (Signal Corps No. 1) for $30,000 in 1909. George Otis Winston, Sr. (1886-1938) was an avid amateur photographer who lived much of his life in Washington, D. C. Winston attended the 1908 military trials at Fort Myer and documented the event by taking several photographs.
NASM.2019.0017
1908-09-12
Richard Winston, Gift, 2019, 2019.0017
440 Megabytes
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of scans of five photographs taken by George Otis Winston, Sr. at the U. S. Army military trials at Fort Myer, Virginia in 1908. The scans were made from the original 3.5 x 5.6 inch negatives that were loaned by donor for copying. The Wright (Co) Type A can be seen in the images. The presence of the small American flag tied to the right interplane strut of the elevator planes suggests that the photographs were made on September 12, 1908, shortly before a flight made by Orville Wright with Major George Squier as passenger.
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Wright (Co) Type A Fort Myer Trials (1908) Photographs [Winston], Acc. 2019.0017, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics
Aeronautics, Military
Aircraft
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Megabytes