The Wordsmith's Page
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featuring the writings of Virginia Tolles
December 17th
An Important Date in Aviation
Today is December 17th.
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On this date in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright made the first successful flight in a powered aircraft. It was the Wright Flyer I, perhaps better known as the Kitty Hawk. Although it did not sustain flight for very long, it was a wonderful first step. The brothers’ second successful aircraft, the Wright Flyer II, not only stayed up longer, but also turned in a circle. The Wright Flyer III was stronger, more durable, and had more power than the first two aircraft.
The Wright Flyer I (photographer unknown)
On this date in 1935, Donald Douglas’ DC-3 made its first flight. The twin-engine propeller plane was developed as a transcontinental sleeper, allowing cross-country travel to be made in 17 hours with three stops to refuel as compared to the three days required by previous aircraft. It really earned its keep in World War II, when it ferried everything from cargo to paratroopers. A DC-3 in its military C-47 configuration led the air invasion on D-Day. More than 10,000 DC-3s were produced. To this day, the DC-3 is used by air freight companies in remote locations.
Adrian Pingstone - Wikimedia Commons - public domain
On this date in 1963, Lockheed’s C-141 StarLifter made its first flight between Lockheed Georgia in Marietta and Warner Robins Air Force Base. The four-engine fanjet with its swept empennage and soaring t-tail was the first dedicated jet-powered transport plane in the United States. It contributed greatly to rapid deployment of men and materiel and to the safe transportation of chest wounds due to its pressurized cabin. Its highly efficient design led to its serving the Air Force for 41 years less 1 month and to its inspiring the development of numerous other aircraft, including Lockheed’s C-5, McDonnell-Douglas’ C-17, Russia’s Ilyushin-76, the United Kingdom’s Bae-146 / Avro-RJ, and others.
This C-141 had just landed at Travis Air Force Base after picking up returning POWs from Hanoi, North Vietnam. Three such flights were made during Operation Homecoming in February 1973. (photographer unknown)