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Smithsonian kinda, sorta admits to a lie
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December 12th 03, 09:29 PM
Jim
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Yip, 'tis beautiful
From what I found on the web, the engine was a 5
cylinder Balzer rotary modified by Charles Manly and produced anywhere from
45-55hp depending on the source with most saying 52hp. Something I found
suprising was that Balzer had invented a working reliable light weight
radial engine 10 years before the Wrights flight, surely the Wrights must
have known about these engines, maybe not.
I agree with you on the type of people they were. I suppose that the
Wrights may have thought that to show up at Langley's SI Lecture would some
how admit defeat? Dunno, but they should have at least sent a spy!
--
Jim Burns III
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"Dennis O'Connor" wrote in message
...
Cooperating was neither their nature, nor Langley's... We could have no
more
mixed the three together than oil and water... The Wright's were only
able
to work with each other... Even their engine builder, Charley
whatzhisname,
said they were a bit strange... Genius does not march to the 'lets all be
social' beat...
Langly needed the hard headed engineering of them to take his good ideas
and
strip away the victorian gingerbread that doomed his aerodromes... The
Wright's could have really used his engine builder - but there is no way
they would been able to pay the bills for what he spent on Langley's
engine...
Ain't hind sight wunnerful?
Denny
Jim