Laird Baby Biplane
| Baby Biplane | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Replica at the Florida Air Museum | |
| Role | Homebuilt aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Designer | Emil Matthew Laird |
| Introduction | 1912 |
| Number built | 1 |
The Laird Baby Biplane was the second aircraft built by Matty Laird in the United States of America.
Design and development[edit]
The Baby Biplane was built by Laird at the age of 16, with assistance from his brother Charles.[1]
The Baby Biplane was a single-seat biplane made of wood with aircraft fabric covering, having conventional landing gear. Later the aircraft was covered with Irish Linen and French cellulose-nitrate dope.[2]
Operational history[edit]
Laird operated from Chicago's Cicero field.[3] A self-taught pilot, his first flight resulted in the aircraft flipping over after becoming airborne. Over time, the aircraft flew up to 30 minutes at a time.[2] The instrument panel consisted of a pocket watch, used to time the fuel supply.[4]
Aircraft on display[edit]
A replica of the Baby Biplane was built by Dean Tilton and donated to the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida, United States.[5]
Specifications (Baby Biplane)[edit]
 | This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them. |
Data from [citation needed]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Powerplant: 1 × Hoefer (Franklin & Indian) , 12 hp (8.9 kW)
References[edit]
- ^ Geza Szurovy. The Baby Wings of Yesteryear: The Golden Age. p. 12.
- ^ a b Joe Christy, LeRoy Cook. American Aviation. p. 12.
- ^ Carroll Grey's Cicero Field aviation history website
- ^ "Famous Flyers: "Matty" Laird, Super Sleuth". FAA Aviation News. 11 (11): 10–11. March 1973.
- ^ "Retro Flyer". Lakeland Ledger. 31 March 1994.
External links[edit]
