Where Powered Flight Took Off
On December 17, 1903, the windswept dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, became the birthplace of modern aviation. At 10:35 a.m., Orville Wright piloted the Wright Flyer for 12 seconds and 120 feet, marking the first powered, sustained, and controlled flight in history. Three more flights followed that day, with Wilbur achieving the longest run at 852 feet in 59 seconds.
The brothers weren’t just chasing a dream—they were rewriting human history. Using spruce wood, muslin fabric, and a hand-built 12-horsepower engine, Orville and Wilbur created a flying machine that combined engineering, physics, and sheer determination.
A Century-Old Aviation Legacy That Still Inspires
The Wright Flyer’s significance goes far beyond the short hops at Kitty Hawk. It represents human ingenuity and the belief that persistence can lift even the heaviest dreams off the ground. Every aircraft—from barnstormers and bombers to passenger jets and spacecraft—can trace its lineage back to those dunes.
Guillow’s has always held this story close. Founded in 1926 by WWI pilot Paul K. Guillow, the company emerged just 23 years after the Wrights’ achievement. Our mission has mirrored theirs: making aviation accessible and inspiring for all who dare to build and fly.
The Wright Flyer Model: A Hands-On Tribute
Our Wright Flyer model kit is more than just a replica. It’s a way to relive the thrill of the world’s first flight through your own craftsmanship. The kit’s authentic details – from the forward-mounted canard elevator to the twin pusher propellers – capture the ingenuity of Orville and Wilbur’s design.
Building the Wright Flyer isn’t just a hobby project; it’s a connection to a pivotal moment in history. Every spar and strut assembled brings you closer to understanding the challenges and triumphs of early aviation.
From Kitty Hawk to Your Hands
When you glue that last rib in place or stretch the covering over the wings, you’re not just building a model; you’re touching a story of relentless innovation. The Wright brothers proved that flight wasn’t a fantasy but a future. Guillow’s keeps that spirit alive with each kit, reminding us that the roots of aviation started not in factories or laboratories, but in a humble workshop fueled by curiosity.
