Building the Wright Flyer —  Museum Style
Reprinted from the Spring 2003 issue of "Strut & Axle Vol. XXIV, No. 1	In 1995, the Owls Head Transportation Museum embarked on one the more ambitious construction projects in its history—the building of a full-scale representation of the 1903 Wright Kitty Hawk Flyer. Enthusiasm for the project both from Museum administration and its volunteers was overwhelming. Leo Gallant, at the time the Museum’s aircraft conservator, had administrative responsibility for the project while Lou Conklin supervised the volunteer effort. As many as 15 volunteers contributed their considerable talents to what became a nearly three year endeavor.
	Dave Dillion contacted the Air & Space Museum’s resident Wright Brothers expert, Peter Jakab, and acquired copies of the plans developed from the original Flyer. He also set about estimating material needs: ash for the frame, spruce and pine for the wing ribs, muslin for the wing fabric and a variety of screws, clinched nails and bolts for holding it all together.
	All raw materials were purchased but anything that needed to be fabricated was produced in the Museum’s workshops. Volunteer Lou Conklin was instrumental in interpreting the plans and heading up efforts in the woodworking shop. Paul Hanna produced the propellers in the metalshop and, along with Ralph Maritato built the replica (though non-functioning) engine from drawings provided by Dave Dillion. Mac Rogers spent numerous hours behind a sewing machine stitching the wing’s fabric coverings.
	And the list goes on: Alan Button, Francis Cowan, Jim Cumming, Tony Haines, Henry Musser, Bob Nicholas, Ken Simmons, Andy Spaulding and Carlton Taylor were among the many volunteers who contributed time, energy and expertise to this enormous undertaking.
	The Museum’s Wright Flyer was completed in 1997 and was formally put on exhibit in early 1998. It stands not only as a tribute to two men who introduced the world to powered flight but to the aforementioned volunteers who have played an invaluable role in this Museum’s mission to promote, teach and, indeed, celebrate our transportation history.