This is a replica of the 1902 model glider. The distinction from this model to previous year gliders is the yaw stability provided by the aft vertical stabilizer (or rudder).

The Wright's believed they needed a 5 h.p. engine that weighed no more than 150 lbs. No engine manufacturer at that time could accommodate their request, so they employed Charlie Taylor in their Ohio bicycle shop to build the above pictured motor: a 150 lb., air cooled, 4 cylinder, piston engine capable of producing 12 hp.

The story goes that there were boys that were present the day that the Wrights had their first powered flight.  That is to say the boys were present until the motor started, then they ran for home.  This leads me to believe the motor had an "open" exhaust which would have been incredibly loud for the pilot...let along the ground spectators.

Shown here is the rib & cable truss structure that formed the warped wing.

The Wrights achieved an 80% efficiency rating with these two, counter-rotating propellers.

A more complete view of the aft section looking forward. The "mini wings" shown up front are the canards for pitch control.

The dune on which the Wright Brothers Memorial is built hosted the 1st unofficial powered flight. The Wrights used this dune as a trial to gain forward velocity for take off before the first official powered flight on flat land. If you look closely, you can see the beacon shining at the top of the tower.

Laura and K.C. stand atop the memorial on the dune.

K.C. was less than awe struck by the monument, but Mom's sunglasses were very interesting.

Dad carried K.C. and the camera gear up the dune to the monument.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial visitor's center is shown in the background to the right.

A close up of the Wright Brothers Memorial taken from the top of the dune.

This is a view from the back of the memorial.  These are life sized statues of the folks gathered for the first flight.

A marker commemorating the takeoff spot of the first 4 powered flights.

Markers 1 through 4 shown here, near to far, repectively, show the landing spots for the first 4 powered flights.  The fourth flight was the most impressive at 852 ft in length for a duration of 59 seconds.

This path connects the bottom of the dune to the location of the first flight adjacent to the hanger and the shack.

A view from the top of the dune shows all of the Wright Brothers National Memorial.  The closest buildings (far right) commemorate the 100th anniversary of their 1st flight.

A view from the top of the dune shows all of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The closest buildings (far right) commemorate the 100th anniversary of their 1st flight.  The Atlantic Ocean is on the horizon.

A closer view of the Memorial from our descent shows the lit beacon at the top.

This is a full scale statue of the scene of the Wright Brother's first flight.

John Daniels from the local life saving station was quickly trained in taking photos just before the Wright Brother's 1st attempt at powered flight.  This is the photographer who took the now famous photo of the Wright Brother's 1st flight.