Laird Baby Biplane

The Laird Baby Biplane was the second aircraft built by Matty Laird in the United States of America.

Baby Biplane
Replica at the Florida Air Museum
Role Homebuilt aircraft
National origin United States
Designer Emil Matthew Laird
Introduction 1912
Number built 1

Design and development

The Baby Biplane was built by Laird at the age of 16, with assistance from his brother Charles.[1]

The Baby Biplane was a single-seat biplane made of wood with aircraft fabric covering, having conventional landing gear. Later the aircraft was covered with Irish Linen and French cellulose-nitrate dope.[2]

Operational history

Laird operated from Chicago's Cicero field.[3] A self-taught pilot, his first flight resulted in the aircraft flipping over after becoming airborne. Over time, the aircraft flew up to 30 minutes at a time.[2] The instrument panel consisted of a pocket watch, used to time the fuel supply.[4]

Aircraft on display

A replica of the Baby Biplane was built by Dean Tilton and donated to the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, Florida, United States.[5]

Specifications (Baby Biplane)

Data from

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hoefer (Franklin & Indian) , 12 hp (8.9 kW)

References
  1. Geza Szurovy. The Baby Wings of Yesteryear: The Golden Age. p. 12.
  2. Joe Christy, LeRoy Cook. American Aviation. p. 12.
  3. Carroll Grey's Cicero Field aviation history website
  4. "Famous Flyers: "Matty" Laird, Super Sleuth". FAA Aviation News. 11 (11): 10–11. March 1973.
  5. "Retro Flyer". Lakeland Ledger. 31 March 1994.
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