RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas: Lt. Benjamin Foulois piloted the first military airplane, the Signal Corps Aircraft Number One, into the air for seven and a half minutes at Fort Sam Houston March 2, 1910.
March 2, a reenactment by an authentic-looking Wright “B” Flyer will mark the 100th anniversary of Foulois’ historic flight. A ceremony will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m., at Fort Sam Houston’s MacArthur Parade Field, not far from the original launch point 100 years ago.
The keynote speaker for the event is Retired Army Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady, who received the Medal of Honor for a series of rescues in Vietnam during which he used three helicopters to rescue more 60 wounded. At the end of the day his three aircraft had more than 400 holes in them from enemy fire and mines. A heritage flyover, Texas Military Forces museum displays and other celebrations of the centennial of military aviation will follow.
Wright “B” Flyer Inc., an all-volunteer, not-for-profit corporation that designs, builds and maintains the flyers, is deploying its “fleet” from Dayton, Ohio, to Fort Sam Houston for a flyover and static display. The “Yellow Bird,” a non-flying replica, will be on display for aviation enthusiasts, while the “Brown Bird” will provide the ceremonial flyover.
According to “The Origin of Military Aviation in Texas” by William C. Pool, the original Signal Corps Aircraft Number One was a pusher-type biplane with two propellers. Its wingspan was 36 feet 5 inches and its length was 30 feet 8 inches. Power was provided by one Wright Model 4 gasoline engine generating 35 horsepower.
Steering the aircraft involved warping the wings and adjusting the position of the front and rear horizontal planes. The “Brown Bird,” an operational lookalike, boasts many modern-day advances over its 100-year-old inspiration. The “Brown Bird” has a steel frame, not wood, communications equipment and navigation lights. A helicopter engine powers the aircraft with 225 horsepower, rather than the original 35-horsepower gasoline engine. The “Brown Bird” has a cruising speed of 60 miles per hour, with a maximum range of 100 miles.
