Wright Model R
Wright Company · United States · first flew 1910 · light aircraft
The Wright Model R was a single-seat biplane built by the Wright Company in Dayton, Ohio, in 1910. It was also known as the Roadster or the Baby Wright.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-bay biplane wing cell
- Pair of pusher propellers driven by chains
- Twin rudders carried on wire-braced wooden booms behind the wing
Look for a single-seat two-bay biplane with chain-driven twin pusher propellers and twin rudders on booms behind the wing.
Specifications
- The Wright Model R has a length of 8.2 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.08 m (27 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was derived from the Wright Model B and designed for speed and altitude competitions. It was powered by a 30 hp Wright four-cylinder inline water-cooled engine driving two pusher propellers via chains.
Variants
A special competition model, the Baby Grand, had a 60 hp V-8 engine and a reduced wingspan of 6.53 m. One standard aircraft was later re-engined with a 50 hp N.E.C. engine.
Where you'll see it
Two examples were flown at the Belmont Park tournament in November 1910, where Orville Wright flew the Baby Grand at nearly 110 km/h. Alec Ogilvie's standard aircraft was placed third in the Gordon Bennett race.
Related aircraft
- Wright Model EX
- Wright Model A
- Wright Model E
- Wright Model G
- ASL Valkyrie
- Avro (Roe) Triplane IV
- Bland Mayfly
- Bristol Boxkite
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