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1908 Hunaudieres Race Course, Le Mans, France
Wright 1907 Machine
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Wilbur had arrived in France on May 29 to five a satisfactory
demonstration of the Wright machine in fulfillment of the duration and speed
requirements of a contract made on March 3 with Henri Deutsch de la Meurthe,
representing a French syndicate.
| DATE |
FLIGHT |
PILOT |
TIME |
DISTANCE |
ALTITUDE |
REMARKS |
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Build in 1907, the machine he used was designed to permit two to sit upright
on the lower wing surface, had a skid undercarriage, and required derrick-and-rail
launching. |
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The race course, located 5 miles south of Le Mans, was 800 meters long
and 300 meters wide. |
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Aug 8
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1
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WW
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1 min. 45 sec.
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2 rounds of field
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ca. 10 m. (30-35 ft)
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Witnesses of the flights, the first public flight by the Wright brothers,
included Ernest Archdeacon, Hart O. Berg, Leon Bollee, Louis Bleriot, Francois
Peyrey, Rene Gasnier, Ernest Zens, Paul Zens, Pierre Gasnier, Robert Guerin,
Capt. Alexandre Sazerac de Forge, Count Henri de Moy, and two Russian officers.
A tick control was used by the Wrights for the first time. Wilber was assisted
on the takeoff by Hare O. Berg's chauffeur, Fleury, who held right wing
in balance until accelerating speed of machine left him behind. |
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Aug 10
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Witnesses of the flights included Leon Delagrange, Frank S.
Lahm, Count Henry de La Valette, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Stern, Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Omer-Decugis, Paul Rousseau, Frantz Reichel, A. Wimille, Stephane Drzewiecki,
Pierre Gasnier, Ernest Zens, Paul Zens, and representatives of Parisian
and American newspapers. The number of spectators was estimated at 2,000. |
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1
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WW
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42 sec.
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3/4 of circle
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2
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WW
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1 min. 41 sec.
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2 large figure eights
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ca. 10-12 m.
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Aug 11
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1
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WW
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3 min. 43 sec.
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more than 4 k. (field circled three times)
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2-20 m.
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Flight witnessed by Frank S. Lahm and James C. McCoy, American aeronaut.
Estimated 3,000 spectators present. |
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Aug 12
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1
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WW
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6 min. 56-2/5 sec.
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7-8k. (6 times around the course)
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15 m.
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Spectators included the Misses Anne Pierpont Morgan, Elizabeth Marbury,
and Bertha Murray, daughter of a London publisher, Henry Kapferer, and two
German officers. |
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2
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WW
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40 sec.
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20 m.
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3
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WW
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1 min. 44 sec.
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20 m.
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Aug 13
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Flights witnessed by Hart O. Berg, Leon Bollee, Lt. Mario Calderara, Commander
Borrel, Edouard Surcouf, Henry Kapferer, and Robert Guerin. Machine damaged
in landing, spars, ribs and one skid runner being broken. Because of necessary
repairs flying was not resumed until August 21 at a new field near Le Mans. |
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1
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WW
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8 min. 13-2/5 sec.
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Circled field seven times.
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20 m.
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2
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WW
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2 min. 20 sec.
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field circled twice
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30 m.
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