Postage Stamp 1:72 Wright Flyer Canard Biplane

The Wright Flyer was the first heavier-than-air flying machine to be powered, manned, controlled and sustained in flight.  Invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright (the Wright Brothers), the Wright Flyer was based on the brother’s research and experiments testing kites and gliders. On December 17, 1903 the Wrights flew four flights at Kill Devil Hills near Kitty Hawk, NC.  Taking turns, beginning at 10:35 AM, Orville flew about 120 Feet in about 12 seconds.   Wilbur then flew about 175 feet, followed by Orville flying 200 feet.   At approximately 12:00 PM, Wilbur flew 852 feet in 59 seconds, making history.

The Wright Flyer was a canard biplane configuration, with a wingspan of 40 feet 4 inches (12.29 m), a camber of 1-20, a wing area of 510 square feet (47 m2), and a length of 21 feet 1 inch (6.43 m). The right wing was 4 inches (10 cm) longer because the engine was 30 pounds (14 kg) to 40 pounds (18 kg) heavier than Orville or Wilbur. Unoccupied, the machine weighed 605 pounds (274 kg). As with the gliders, the pilot flew lying on his stomach on the lower wing with his head toward the front of the craft in an effort to reduce drag. The pilot was left of center while the engine was right of center. He steered by moving a hip cradle in the direction he wished to fly. The cradle pulled wires to warp the wings, and simultaneously turn the rudder, for coordinated flight. The pilot operated the elevator lever with his left hand, while holding a strut with his right. The Wright Flyer's "runway" was a 60 feet (18 m) track of 2x4s, which the brothers nicknamed the "Junction Railroad". The Wright Flyer skids rested on a launching dolly, consisting of a 6 feet (1.8 m) plank, with a wheeled wooden section. The two tandem ball bearing wheels were made from bicycle hubs. A restraining wire held the plane back, while the engines were running and the propellers turning, until the pilot was ready to be released. 202–204

The Wright Flyer had three instruments onboard. A Veedor engine revolution recorder measured the number of propeller turns. A stopwatch recorded the flight time, while a Richard hand anemometer, attached to the front center strut, recorded the distance covered in meters.