Wright Model EX

The Wright Model EX is an early biplane built by the Wright Brothers. It is a smaller, single-seat version of the Wright Model B. It was made just for exciting exhibition flights, which is why it is called "EX." Only two of these planes were ever made.

One of these special planes, called the Vin Fiz Flyer, made history in 1911. It became the very first airplane to fly all the way from one side of the United States to the other. This amazing trip took almost three months to complete.

Design

The Model EX was a small, three-part biplane. It had wings of the same size stacked one above the other. The tail had two small vertical rudders at the back, supported by an open frame. The pilot sat near the engine at the front of the lower wing. The plane used two propellers pushed forward by chains. The landing gear had long skids with two wheels each, and a small skid at the very back.

This model was special because it was the first plane the Wright Brothers made entirely in their new factory.

History

William Randolph Hearst offered a US$50,000 prize for the first person to fly across the country in less than 30 days. Calbraith Perry Rodgers learned to fly from Orville Wright and bought a Wright Model B airplane. He changed it and called it the Model EX.

J. Ogden Armour supported Rodgers and named the plane after his new grape soft drink, Vin Fiz. Rodgers started his trip from Brooklyn, New York on September 17, 1911.

The flight had many stops and challenges. Rodgers landed in Pasadena, California on November 5, just a little late for the prize. He kept flying until December 10. Then he landed on a beach and carefully pushed the plane into the Pacific Ocean.

The Vin Fiz Flyer was later bought by the Smithsonian Institution and is shown at the National Air and Space Museum. Special airmail stamps were sold to honor the flight.

Specifications (Vin Fiz Flyer)

Data from NASA

The Wright Model EX, also known as the Vin Fiz Flyer, was a small, single-seat biplane. It was 21 feet long, with a wingspan of 32 feet and a height of 7 feet. It used a 35 horsepower Wright Aero engine and could fly at an average speed of 51 miles per hour.