ALFRED WALLACE "WALLY" PERRY


March 1923 - August 30, 1996


American Way, the American Airlines seatback pocket magazine, introduced Wally Perry to our Wright Flyer Project. Dave Holmstrom's article on our project in the December 15, 1986 issue of that publication caught Wally's eye and brought him to us on July 25, 1987.

He has been a talented, faithful, versatile and stalwart human resource, supporting our progress ever since - nearly to his last day - in spite of unyielding physical pain.

Over 9 years ago, Wally immediately dove into project activities lending his considerable mechanical skills, materials and tools to the construction of a propulsion test stand on which to install and test the entire Wright Flyer wind tunnel propulsion system, including the electric motor, chain drive and propellors. This was a most successful test, allowing us to run the system for two hours at speeds up to 110% without vibration or failure. This was but the first of many project tasks which were to benefit from Wally's touch. He will be missed.


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