William Harper Jr. Explained

William Harper Jr. was an American pioneer aviator and aviation engineer with the Wright brothers.^[1]

Biography

In 1912 he built his own airplane to fly out of Roosevelt Field, New York.^[2]

The airplane was a monoplane, resembling the contemporary Blériot, with a span of 50feet.^[2] It was powered by a two-cylinder two-stroke of 50hp,^[2] driving a 9feet-diameter propeller.^[2] It was outfitted with a speedometer and a crude turn-and-bank indicator.^[2]

It was reportedly able to glide as much as 300yd.^[2]

It was scheduled to fly in June, from a field east of Mineola, on the Hempstead Plains.^[2]

On February 3, 1914, Harper married Florence Tobin of Denver, Colorado in Newport, Rhode Island.^[3]

Writings

• News: William Harper, Jr. . Gyroscope in Air. Mr. Harper Shows How It May Resist Shifting Air Currents . I have taken keen interest in the articles on the development of aerial navigation, which The Times treats perhaps more fully than any other metropolitan daily. ... . . August 23, 1908 . 2010-09-12 .

Notes and References

1. News: Harper Takes Them as Passengers in His Big Yellow Monoplane. . William Harper, Jr., was the most envied aviator on the field here this afternoon, when he took out a number of attractive girls in his big yellow for ... . . October 21, 1912 . 2010-09-12 .
2. Book: Aeronautics: Volume 10 . 1912 . . 179 .
3. News: Tobin-Harper Wedding To-day . The wedding of Miss Florence Tobin of Denver and William Harper, Jr., of New York will take place to-morrow evening at the cottage of the bride's aunt, Mrs. James J. Brown. Only relatives will be present. A dinner at the MuenchingerKing will follow, with Mrs. Brown as hostess. . . February 2, 1914. 2010-09-12 .