In 1994, the Wright Experience began work on a Model "B"--their first Wright commission. When it came time to cover the wings, Beverly Hyde led the team in the rediscovery of the Wrights' wing covering process. Almost everything was learned from the original Model "B" wing below.

This wing belongs to the Air Force Museum, and was part of an original Wright Model "B". The fabric was intact, and still attached to the wing by the original method used in the Wright factory. It was through the study of this wing that Beverly and the rest of the Wright Experience team developed their process for covering the aircraft.

Once the wooden structure of the wing is completed, the rubberized fabric is attached. It is held in place with hundreds of tacks, each nailed into the spars and tip-bows exactly one half inch apart.

Here, Beverly works on the wingtip of the Model "B". She can complete a wing panel, one of three for each wing, by herself in about two hours.

When the lower surface of the wing is covered, the fabric comes over the top of the wing and is tacked in place to the bottom side of the leading edge. The spars of the three panels are then attached to one another and the seams between the panels are sewn up.

Here, Wendy Hyde completes the center section of the Model "B's" top wing.

When the airplane is complete, a total of thirteen surfaces will be covered, including the wings, elevator, tail, and the square and triangular "blinkers" on the wings and skids. These unusual surfaces help the airplanes yaw control and stability.