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Fabric, Aircraft, 1903 Wright Flyer

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  • Fabric, Aircraft, 1903 Wright Flyer
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    Unbleached muslin; overal dimensions 12 ft. X 3 ft. 2 in. Upper surface section 80 in. from trailing edge; lower surface section 66 1/2 in. from trailing edge. Three internal wing rib pockets on inside of lower surface, 34 in long X 2 in. wide, pockets 11 inches apart. Trailing edge seam for holding trailing edge wire 3/4 in. wide, with three slots for wing ribs to protrude and be tied to wire. Screw holes where wing strut fittings attached to rear spar and leading edge, upper and lower surface for rear spar, just upper surface for leading edge, four holes for each fitting. Four patches on main covering: a) 4 1/2 in. X 3 in., b) 1 1/2 in. X 1 1/2 in., c) 2 in. X 2 in., d) 3 in. X 3 1/2 in. Excess stitching thread on exterior surface at the end of each rib pocket, 2-3 in. long. Tac holes in leading edge. Evidence of sections sewn together on the bias, two full seams and one partial seam. Various spots and stains over the entire surface of the fabric. The wing covering fabric was received wrapped in another type of white fabric, 64 in. X 33 1/2 in. It is a different weave and thread count than the wing covering or the wing rib pocket material. There is some speculation that this might be stock fabric for some other purpose used on the Wright Flyer, but this remains unclear.

Created by

Eric Long

Date Created

02/18/2016

Source

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Keywords

Aircraft Parts; Aviation; People; Pre-WWI; Research

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Usage conditions apply
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Open daily 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum 650 Jefferson Drive SW
Washington, DC

202-633-2214

Free Timed-Entry Passes Required

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4118

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