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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-army-first-airplane

In 1909, who bought the U.S. Army's first airplane?

The Army bought it from the Wright brothers.

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  1. The Army, from the Wright brothers ✔
  2. The Navy, from Glenn Curtiss
  3. The Post Office, from Boeing

Why: The Army paid the Wrights $25,000 plus a $5,000 bonus because the plane beat the speed goal. Orville built and tested the Army plane in America.

Huh, didn't know that: While Orville worked on the Army plane, Wilbur was in France starting a French airplane company.

The dad joke
Why did the Army buy a plane? They wanted their soldiers to get a little higher rank.
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References

Answer: The Army, from the Wright brothers. The Army paid the Wrights $25,000 plus a $5,000 bonus because the plane beat the speed goal. Orville built and tested the Army plane in America.

  1. CAP Teacher's Guide for Aerospace: The Journey of Flight (lesson outlines) www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/2nd_edition_Teachers_Guide_5D3166D76F9B1.pdf
    In 1909, the Army bought its first plane from the Wright brothers for $25,000 plus a $5,000 bonus
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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