Wright Model A aircraft flight, 1909. US aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) taking off in a Wright Model A, one of several aircraft built by him and his brother Orville Wright (1871-1948). This flight was one of two that took place on 29 September 1909. On one of the flights, Wilbur piloted the aircraft over New York Harbour and around the Statue of Liberty, seen by millions in a flight lasting less than five minutes. It was part of a celebration of 300 years of New York history. A canoe (seen here) was attached to the aircraft in case of a water landing. This photograph is from the Bain News Service, one of the USA's earliest news picture libraries.