Wright Model H

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Model H
Wright Model H quarter view on ground Simms Station Dayton OH 1914 AS-ID10484.jpg
A Model H at Simms Station Dayton OH in 1914
RolePioneering aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer The Wright Company
First flight1914
Primary user Pancho Villa
Number built5
Developed fromWright Model H

The Wright Model H and Wright Model HS were enclosed fuselage aircraft built by the Wright Company [1]

Contents

Design and development

A direct development of the Model F, the Model H introduced side by side seating for the two pilots, with long-span wings similar to the Model F. A short-span version was also produced as the Model HS, marketed as a "Military Flyer" with the improvement of an enclosed fuselage and dual controls. [2] Its wings were shorter than the Model H for increased speed. [3]

3/4 rear view of a Model H Wright Model H three quarter view on ground, Simms Station near Dayton, Ohio, 1914 (10485 A.S.).jpg
3/4 rear view of a Model H

The Model H was a two place, side-by-side configuration seating, open cockpit, biplane with twin rudders, powered with a single engine, propelled by two chain driven pusher propellers. The engine was fully enclosed in the nose of the aircraft with a driveshaft running rearward to the propeller drive chains. [4]

Operational history

Howard Reinhart purchased a Wright Model HS for Pancho Villa, who hired him in support of his insurgent force. [5] It was one of three aircraft in his small air force. [6]

In 2003, a Wright propeller matching the Model HS specifications was auctioned for over US$25,000. The construction of the propeller was hand carved wood with a linen covering, metal tips and a custom finish. [7]

A Model H in flight at Simms Station, Dayton OH in 1914 Wright Model H front view in flight, Simms Station near Dayton, Ohio, 1914 (10486 A.S.).jpg
A Model H in flight at Simms Station, Dayton OH in 1914

Variants

Model H
(1914) 32 ft (9.8 m) span 3-bay wings similar to the Model F, also introduced side-by-side seating.
Model HS
(1915) Short span 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m) 2-bay wings

Specifications (Wright Model HS)

a Wright 6-60 on display at the Smithsonian Wright 1911 6-60 engine-Smithsonian-01.jpg
a Wright 6-60 on display at the Smithsonian

Data from Flying [2]

General characteristics

Performance

References

  1. ↑ "Later Wright Activities" . Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  2. 1 2 Flying: 2. February 1915.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. ↑ "Wright Airplane Configuration". Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Wright Aircraft" . Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  5. ↑ Sterling Seagrave. Soldiers of fortune. p. 28.
  6. ↑ David A. Anderton. The history of the U.S. Air Force. p. 19.
  7. ↑ Flying: 26. December 2003.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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