The first aeroplane of the AEA was the White Wing, designed and sponsored by Lt Thomas.E. Selfridge.
Named for its red fabric coloring, Glenn Curtiss built the engines for the Aerial Experiment Association Red Wing and the White Wing early in 1908.
Dubbed “Red Wing” after its amber fabric sealant, and it was finished in three months at Curtiss’ shop at Hammondsport. Ready for a trial run on March 10, 1908, Selfridge and Bell were on business in Washington DC, so the honors were handed to Baldwin. Powered by a 20-hp Curtiss motorcycle engine, Red Wing ran across the ice on its steel skids for about 250 feet, then lurched into the air to fly about 300 more feet at an altitude of six feet before finally stalling and crumpling into a heap.
Having no lateral control, it crashed on its first flight at Lake Keuka NY on 12 March 1908 after flying a distance of 318’11” (p: Baldwin).
The first public flight of an airplane in the US.
Aerodrome #1, Red Wing
Engine: Curtiss B8 air-cooled V-8 40hp pusher. Actual flight efficiency est. less than 20hp.
Wingspan: 43’4″
Length: 26’3″
Useful load: 185 lb
Seats: 1
All Aero 