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Samuel Langley's aeronautical experiments appeared to have concluded with the successful flights of his Aerodromes Number 5 and Number 6 in 1896, but privately he intended to build a full-sized, human-carrying airplane. Langley's simple approach was merely to scale up the unpiloted Aerodromes of 1896 to human-carrying proportions. The construction details and distribution of stresses on the Aerodrome A, as the full-sized version was called, were based on the successful performance of a gasoline-powered model, one-fourth the size. This exact scale miniature, known as the Quarter-scale Aerodrome, made two flights of 46 m (150 ft) and 108 m (350 ft) on June 18, 1901, powered by a five-cylinder radial internal combustion gasoline engine of about 3.2 horsepower. Between 1901 and 1903, the engine was rebuilt to produce slightly more than three horsepower, after which a final flight of 308 m (1,000 ft) was made on August 8, 1903. Because the structural and control requirements for a full-sized, piloted airplane were very different, the satisfactory flights of the Quarter-scale Aerodrome masked its flaws as a design prototype for the Aerodrome A. When twice attempted to fly in 1903, the Aerodrome A met with disastrous results, ending Langley's aeronautical experiments entirely.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s) Quarter-scale Prototype of Aerodrome A Brief Description Samuel Langley tried to scale up his unpiloted Aerodromes of 1896 to human-carrying proportions. Flights of his quarter-scale Aerodrome (1901-1903) masked design flaws that resulted in failed attempts to fly a full-scale piloted Aerodrome A in 1903. Date 1903 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Aircraft Manufacturer Smithsonian Institution
Physical Description Unpiloted, tandem-wing experimental aircraft built and tested by Samuel P. Langley, powered by a five-cylinder radial internal combustion gasoline engine of about 3.2 horsepower, turning two pusher propellers via geared transmission system. Silk covering. Natural fabric finish; no sealant or paint of any kind. Dimensions Wingspan: 3.7 m (12 ft)
Length: 4.7 m (15 ft)
Height: 1.1 m (3 ft 6 in)
Weight: 19 kg (42 lb)
Deinstall updated measurements: 7' L x 11' 6" Wing Span x 3' 6" H
Materials Fuselage: Steel Tubing
Wings and Tail: Wood with Silk Covering
Alternate Name Langley Quarter-scale Aerodrome Inventory Number A19050003000 Credit Line Transferred from the Smithsonian Institution to the United States National Museum Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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