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Wright Brothers EX "Vin Fiz" Original Aircraft Fabric 17' x 11

$ 66

Availability: 47 in stock
  • Theme: Antique Aviation
  • Features: Display Print
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Age Level: 17 Years & Up
  • Condition: ““PRESERVED DURING THE SMITHSONIAN AIR & SPACE MUSEUM 1970 RESTORATION"”
  • Type: Aircraft Relic
  • Featured Refinements: Wright Brothers

    Description

    The Wright Brothers “Vin Fiz”  Original Aircraft Fabric Complete Package. Includes  17' x 11 Fabric Print, Original Fabric Certification and Biographical Information on Parchment Paper. The aircraft fabric offered here was originally preserved during the 1970 Smithsonian Institution restoration of this famous aircraft.  In 1911,
    The Vin Fiz Flyer was an early Wright Brothers Model EX pusher biplane that in 1911 became the first aircraft to fly coast-to-coast across the U.S., a journey that took almost three months.
    In 1970, the curators of the Smithsonian's "National Air Museum" realized it had more historic aircraft in their Virginia storage facility than on display in Washington. Many of the vintage aircraft in their collection were deteriorating and in very poor condition. It was imperative the aircraft were repaired and restored. If the wanted to display these newly restored aircraft, the current museum was to small and their growing collection of very large Spacecraft also needed a new home. As a result in 1972 they broke ground on the new Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum.
    The restoration process of the first 6 aircraft included the removal of the original wing and fuselage fabric or "skin".  Once removed, new fabric would replace the old to its original specifications.  The original removed fabric was cut into small squares and offered as limited edition print.  They were made available for purchase to only to those maintaining membership in Smithsonian Institution.  This Smithsonian Aviation Relic Series was only available from 1975 to 1979.  Since father was a Lifetime Smithsonian Member, I was able to purchase the first 6 aircraft fabric swatches in the series. I was 17 years old when I finally received my Amelia's Vega.  It completed my series which hangs on my office wall to this day.
    For me, waiting for the aircraft to be restored over that 4 years period was comparable to receiving and returning my Columbia House 8-track of the month.
    In 2015, a business associate offered me 0.00 for a smaller piece of my Wright Brothers Cloth.  As a result, I decided I would secure additional copies of the series and cut the fabric down, print new materials and make the series available again. The package you'll receive will look identical to the Smithsonian original.  The only difference is the original Wright Brothers Fabric Swatch and the poster is smaller.  You will also receive a copy of the original Smithsonian Certificate along with my stamped, signed and dated certification. The complete Vin Fiz Aircraft Biography will be enclosed.  See the images. The poster with the aircraft fabric is 17' x 11 in printed on quality card stock suitable for framing. I hope you will enjoy the package.
    Also if interested, I just obtained Amelia Earhart's "Lockheed Vega which is now available.  I will provide you a discount if both are purchased.
    Just message me and I will immediately refund .00 on the two and another .00 discount for shipping.