As the year comes to an end, we mark 100 years of flight in the U.S. military.
In 1909, the Army purchased the nation's first airplane from the Wright brothers. This came about after years of negotiations and despite doubts whether the machine might serve any military purpose at all. Negotiations started Jan. 18, 1905, when the Wright brothers formally offered their invention to the Army stating that an airplane was a must in the military. Having had bad experience with such offers, the Army was unconvinced then. In October of the same year, the Army again declined to buy an airplane.
As the Wright brothers gained aviation experience, their reputation grew. On Jan. 6, 1906, the brothers joined the Aero Club of America and in May were granted a patent for their flying machine. In 1907, they traveled to England hoping to successfully negotiate a foreign military sale, but without positive result. Later that year, between November and December, they presented their machine's capability anew to officials of the U.S. Army Signal Corps and Board of Ordnance. That presentation was a success and resulted in the Army formally advertising for bids for a flying machine to be submitted by Feb. 1, 1908. On Jan. 27, 1908, the Wright brothers submitted a bid of $25,000. As required, the article was to carry two passengers and fly at least 40 mph for at least an hour. The Wright brothers responded to these requirements saying they could meet them with the plane only weighing between 1,100 and 1,250 pounds.
The Signal Corps accepted the Wright brothers bid Feb. 8, 1908. The airplane was to be built and successfully demonstrated. The plane was completed and ready for flight June 24. This Wright Flyer had a wingspan of 36.5 feet, was 29 feet long and 79 feet high, and weighed 740 pounds. It was powered by a 30.6-horsepower engine. A few days later, Orville damaged the prototype during a test by crashing into a tree. The brothers repaired the craft and, with Lt. Frank Lahm on board, Orville made a successful flight July 27, setting a duration record of 1 hour 12 minutes. On July 30, Orville flew with Lt. Benjamin Foulois as passenger setting a speed record of 42.58 mph. The unprecedented flights surpassed the Army's requirements and consequently earned the Wright brothers a $5,000 bonus, having flown two mph faster than the mandatory qualifying speed of 40 mph.
The U.S. acquired its first airplane for military use Aug. 2, 1909. It cost $30,000, including the $5,000 bonus for in flight performance. It was designated U.S. Signal Air Corps Airplane No. 1. There was insufficient thought or provision for what it would take to keep Airplane No. 1 flying. Foulois would soon realize this as he had to buy parts with his own money to keep flying out of Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
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