I got some answers at the January program of the Centerville-Washington Twp. Historical Society where I learned I wasn’t alone. Speakers John Callander and Sam Strother told the audience many are unaware that the hangar is a “living museum” dedicated to carrying on the legacy of the Wright Brothers and their amazing invention — the “flying machine.”
The museum caretakers are the volunteers of the Wright “B” Flyer Association who have designed, built and flown the historical aircraft inside. Members John and Sam call themselves the ground crew and public relations people who spread the word of what goes on there.
They informed us that the hangar is home of the Brownbird, a 1911 Wright “B” Flyer, a flyable look-alike of the world’s first mass produced airplane. The original “Wright B,” manufactured in the Wright Co. factory in Dayton from 1910-11, saw service with the U.S. Army and civilian enterprises.
The duo calls the Brownbird the association’s “bread and butter.” It is seen by many area residents each year at fly-bys at several local parades, air shows and community events such as Centerville’s Americana Festival.
The plane also travels. It has been to the Rose Bowl, flown around the Statue of Liberty and has gone overseas for air shows in England and France. At the controls are the association’s pilots, all retired military and certified test pilots. Such trips are costly, since the fragile plane has to be carefully dismantled piece by piece for transportation.
But the Brownbird serves another purpose at the Dayton Wright Brothers Airport. In nice weather, it takes new association members on a 1-mile ride about 50 to 60 feet above ground. Cost of the eight-minute jaunt is $100. It’s one way the association can earn some money; other funds come from special Wright “B” license plates and donations.
The Brownbird will soon have company at the hangar. A second Wright “B” Flyer look-alike — named Silverbird — is just finished. It differs from the Brownbird in size and weight, enabling shipment at lower cost.
In the wings, so to speak, is a third plane dubbed Yellowbird. It was a reproduction of the famed Flyer instead of a look-alike and is considered much more authentic than its hangar mates. John and Sam say interest in this revitalized “bird” is already mounting.
Free visits to the hangar museum are available Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information call (937) 885-2327 during those hours.
Anita Richwine is a board member of the Centerville-Washington Twp. Historical Society. Contact her at anita824@aol.com.
About the Author