Wright Model G

The Wright Model G was a pioneering American biplane built by the Wright Company in the early 1910s. First flown in 1911, it represented the last major evolution of the Wright brothers’ original designs before the company shifted to more conventional aircraft. The Model G featured a wooden frame with fabric‑covered wings, a 35‑horsepower Wright vertical‑type engine, and a distinctive canard configuration that placed the elevator ahead of the wings. Its tandem cockpit accommodated a pilot and an observer, and the aircraft could be fitted with floats for water operations, making it one of the earliest successful seaplanes. Engineering improvements included a more reliable chain‑driven propulsion system and strengthened struts, which allowed a top speed of roughly 55 mph and a flight endurance of up to one hour. Although only a handful were produced, the Model G proved vital in military training and reconnaissance for the U.S. Army and Navy, demonstrating the practicality of dual‑control flight and amphibious capability. Its service highlighted the transition from experimental flyers to versatile, purpose‑built aircraft, cementing the Wright Company’s legacy in shaping early 20th‑century aviation.