Wright-17

The Wright-17 or informally the Wilbur was a tractor reconnaissance aeroplane developed by the U.S. Army during the early part of the Great War to replace the Curtiss Super Hudson pusher. The Wright was a two man aeroplane with the pilot in the front cockpit and observer in the back. The observer had a photographic camera to record observations and a machine gun for defense. Experienced pilots transitioning to the new aeroplane were initially reluctant, since it did not have a front mounted machine gun due to a satisfactory interrupter gear not yet beening developed. However, since the performance of the Wright matched the British made Avro 504 that the Canadians were using in speed and rate of climb and dive, they were won over. The Wright was later replace by the Martin one-decker.