The Red Wing (or Aerodrome #1) was an early aircraft designed by Thomas Selfridge and built by the Aerial Experiment Association in 1908. It was named for the bright red color of its silk wings - chosen to achieve the best result with the photography techniques of the day.

On March 12, Casey Baldwin piloted the aircraft off the frozen Keuka Lake near Hammondsport, New York in what would be the first public demonstration of a powered aircraft flight in the United States. The aircraft covered 319 ft (97 m) at a height of around 20 ft (6 m) before crashing 20 seconds after takeoff. The Red Wing was damaged beyond repair.

Specifications (Red Wing)

General Characteristics

• Crew: one pilot
• Length: 26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
• Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
• Height: ft in ( m)
• Wing area: ft² ( m²)
• Empty: lb ( kg)
• Loaded: lb ( kg)
• Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
• Powerplant: 1x Curtiss air-cooled V-8, 40 hp (30 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: mph ( km/h)
• Range: miles ( km)
• Service ceiling: ft ( m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading:
• Power/Mass:

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5