Packer Engineering: Engineers with Answers

Building of the 1903 Wright Flyer

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers first powered flight on Dec 17, 1903, four separate groups (including NASA) are building an exact, flight-worthy reproduction of the first airplane. One group, The Wright Redux Association (WRA) of Glen Ellyn, built a plane called "The Spirit of Glen Ellyn." In May, they reached a verbal agreement with Packer Engineering to build a replica of the original gasoline engine to power their airplane.

The airplane now housed at Clow Airport has wings assembled, covered, and sewn with a cotton material made to replicate the original cloth. The rigging wire and hardware were replicated with similar materials used by the Wrights.

A team of Packer's highly professional specialists and several Midwest companies converted the engine block drawings into a 3-D computer model, used the model to construct the lost foam molds and poured the castings. We are awaiting the remaining engine parts and should have the engine assembled by March 2003.

"The Spirit of Glen Ellyn's" initial "lift" testing without an engine was conducted on Oct.13, 2002. To test the airframe lift capabilities, the aircraft was loosely tethered to a four-wheeled platform and towed down the runway. During testing, the plane lifted approximately 18" off the platform. After the tests, members of WRA, said, "It was really a thrilling moment to know after all this work they actually constructed wings that will create lift."

Powered flight will only be undertaken after the pilots are familiar with the flight characteristics of the plane in un-powered flight. Testing of the plane with the engine is tentatively scheduled for March 2003 with the final flight of the "Spirit of Glen Ellyn" scheduled for December 2003, on the lawn of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Along with all the Wright Redux members who built the airframe and Packer Engineering staff who are reproducing the engine, twenty-one companies across the Midwest have been involved in building the engine. This project is a shining example of grass roots "Midwestern Volunteerism."

Thanks to the following companies or individuals who provided either materials, equipment, services, or time to help build the 1903 Wright Replica Engine:

Bison Gear, St. Charles, IL	Insight Automated, Inc., Glendale Heights, IL
Peterson Spring, Southfield, MI	American Foundry Society, Des Plaines, IL
Wheatland Machine, Naperville, IL	Beery Heating and Cooling, Oswego, IL
Jerry’s Welding, West Chicago, IL	NAPCO Steel, Inc., West Chicago, IL
Ed Meyers, Bolingbrook, IL	MTI Inc., Rockford, IL
The Arnold Engineering Co., Marengo, IL	The Austin Group, Quincy, IL
Willard Industries, Cincinnati, OH	Arrow Gear, Downers Grove, IL
Craftsman Tool & Mold, Aurora, IL	Bison Electric, Elgin, IL
TRW, Danville, PA	Phoenix Electric Mfg., Chicago, IL
Scot Inc., Downers Grove, IL	Auto Machine Inc., St. Charles, IL
DuPage Blueprint, Glen Ellyn, IL	The Western Society of Engineers, Chicago, IL
Buhrke Industries, Arlington Heights, IL	Kohlert MFG. Co., St. Charles, IL
Research Automation, Inc., Aurora, IL	Advantage Machining, Aurora, IL
ONDEO Nalco Co., Naperville, IL	Gingler-Lowney Laser, Aurora, IL
Pro Mold & Die, Roselle, IL	Video Impressions, Aurora, IL
Wisconsin Precision, East Troy, WI	Express Pattern, Buffalo Grove, IL
Jim Packer, Aurora, IL	Packer Technologies International, Warrenville, IL

See Pictures of Engine Development

Wright Flyer Video Clips

Interactive Engine Assembly

Wright Flyer Attempt

The Wright Experience

First Flight in 100 Years

Dec. 17, 2003 Dedication at Museum of Science and Industry