1908-09-07 – WANT MILITARY AEROPLANES

WANT MILITARY AEROPLANES.

Chas. R. Flint Has Offers for Wright Machines from European Powers.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6. — Keenly alive to the usefulness of the aeroplane in time of war, several foreign Governments have opened negotiations with a view to procuring machines, and already one foreign Government has been offered a fleet of aeroplanes of the Wright models at a cost of $1,000,000. Charles R. Flint of New York is conducting the negotiations on behalf of these Governments with the Wright brothers. He had a conference to-day with Orville Wright, who is personally demonstrating his machine at Fort Myer for the War Department.

The remarkable flights made by Wilbur Wright at Le Mans, France, and the tests undertaken here by his brother seem to have convinced the military nations that the aeroplane is eventually to be of greater usefulness to an army in the field than the dirigible balloon. It is swifter, is less liable to injury, can be transported more easily, and offers a smaller target to the enemy’s sharpshooters.

It is known that France made flattering offers to the Wright brothers for the patents covering their machines. it was reported at one time that these offers had been accepted by the American inventors. This was denied afterward, however, the Wrights declaring that they would give this Government the first opportunity to acquire them.

Not only the European countries, but the more advanced nations of South America and the Orient according to Mr. Flint, are anxious to add the Wright aeroplanes to their military establishments.

“Practically every Government that maintains an up-to-date army and navy is making inquiry regarding the Wright aeroplane,” he said, “and our agents in Europe, South America, and the Orient, are already in negotiation with the heads of the military establishments. One certain foreign Government, which I am not at liberty just now to name, has made inquiries of me as to the cost of the aeroplanes. I have offered to supply a number for $1,000,000, and agreed to deposit $50,000 cash with bankers to be forfeited if they did not meet requirements. I do not fear for the safety of the $50,000, for the tests have demonstrated the ability of the Wright brothers to make successful flights.

“The Wright machine, in my opinion, and I have dealt in vessels and war materials, will revolutionize methods of fighting, both on land and on sea. It can be used in the place of light cavalry for scouting, can be utilized to drop explosives on the deck of a battleship or in fortifications, can carry dispatches at high spped across hostile country, and, in short, will fill a void which no balloon or other machine can occupy.”

Mr. Wright would not discuss the details of the conference to-day, although he acknowledged that the offers of a number of Governments had been laid before him.

“Mr. Flint has some tangible offers,” said Mr. Wright, “but we did not come to any decision with regard to them. Whatever work we may undertake will be done only after I have consulted with my brother, who, as you know, is now in France.”

If the wind and weather are favorable the tests of the aeroplane will be resumed to-morrow at Fort Myer. The slight breakage of yesterday, when a rope snapped in a preliminary trial along the rising track, has been repaired, and everything is in readiness. It is Mr. Wright’s intention to lengthen his flights each day until he is ready for the endurance test of one hour, which the Government calls for.

(Originally published on September 7, 1908 in the New York Times.)

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