The Wright Brothers Testing Their 1902 Glider
Compared to their previous gliders, the Wrights' 1902 glider had a much thinner airfoil and longer and narrower wings, which their wind tunnel tests had shown to be more efficient. To improve lateral control, they added a fixed vertical rudder to the rear of the glider. They retained the reliable forward elevator for pitch control but made it elliptical in shape. The improvement in performance from all these changes was dramatic.
Exhibit at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington, D.C.
The Wright Brothers Testing Their 1902 Glider
Compared to their previous gliders, the Wrights' 1902 glider had a much thinner airfoil and longer and narrower wings, which their wind tunnel tests had shown to be more efficient. To improve lateral control, they added a fixed vertical rudder to the rear of the glider. They retained the reliable forward elevator for pitch control but made it elliptical in shape. The improvement in performance from all these changes was dramatic.
Exhibit at the National Air & Space Museum, Washington, D.C.