The Model F was the world’s first licensed aircraft manufactured in the United States, thanks to an agreement between the Burgess Company and the Wright Brothers.
This aircraft is a replica of the Burgess-Wright Model B Flyer. Burgess manufacturing company started manufacturing these in 1910 after renaming them the “Model F Flyer.” Nicknamed the Moth, the Burgess-Wright Flyer resulted from an agreement between Burgess and the Wright brothers to expand the production of their new invention; making the Burgess Company the first licensed aircraft manufacturer in the United States. Burgess built over 100 of these Model F Flyers for military and commercial use.
By 1910, Utah had seen its first flight by a manned aircraft. Soon after, demonstrations and competitions began springing up around the state. In 1911, Salt Lake City hosted an aviation carnival in Bonneville Park. Festivities included Utah’s first race between the competing Wright and Curtiss flight teams. During the weeklong event, both teams demonstrated the abilities and applications of their flying machines, including a hydroplane liftoff from the Great Salt Lake and various bombing demonstrations.
An early predecessor of today’s Air Force, the Army Signal Corps used the Flyer for training pilots. The military also used these aircraft to trial the first bombsights and bomb-dropping devices.
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 69115
Manufacturer: Burgess Company
Primary Function: Passenger Transport
Crew: One
Engines: Wright Water-Cooled, Four-Cylinder In-Line; 35 hp
Wingspan: 38 ft 6 in
Length: 29 ft
Height: 8 ft 9 in
Weight: 1,270 lbs
Speed: 42 mph (maximum)
Range: 110 miles
Service Ceiling: Unknown
Armament: None
Cost: $5,000 (approximately)
By 1910, Utah had seen its first flight by a manned aircraft and, soon after, demonstrations and competitions began springing up around the state. In 1911, an aviation carnival was held in Salt Lake City’s Bonneville Park, which included Utah’s first race between the Wright and Curtiss flight teams. During the weeklong event, both teams demonstrated the abilities and applications of their flying machines, including a hydroplane liftoff from the Great Salt Lake and various bombing demonstrations. In 1999, the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah acquired this aircraft from the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Maine and it was put on display at Hill Aerospace Museum soon after.
The Model F was the world’s first licensed aircraft manufactured in the United States, thanks to an agreement between the Burgess Company and the Wright Brothers.
The flyer had a top speed of 45 mph and a range of 110 miles.
Approximately 100 were produced.