Summary

Glenn Curtis meets Wilbur Wright by chance in Dayton Ohio where he sees photographs of the Wright’s invention.  While the Wrights struggle to sell their mythical flying machine, Curtis’s with the help of an aviation team flies a heavier than air machine in public for the first time. The wrights now under threat, demonstrate their new aeroplane at numerous public events and  on one occasion, while Orville is carrying a passenger, disaster happens. 

Mr. Curtiss satisfied by his own success begins to build and sell aeroplanes.  Representing the United States in Europe, Curtiss  the under dog , miraculously wins the main aerial event propelling him onto the world stage. Angered by this move and armed with the legal weight of their patent, Wilbur sues Curtiss.  Not one to walk away from a fight, Curtiss challenges Wilbur to an aerial competition to see who has the better aeroplane.  Embarrassed by the press because of the outcome, Curtiss retreats. 

In the courtroom the drama intensifies as both sides try to damage the other. Curtiss now threatened with loosing his business, forms an exhibition team as a tactic to avoid paying the Wrights for infringement.  Wilbur recognizing this trick, uses his influence to take control of all future aviation competitions.  Curtiss appeals to Orville as a possible mediator to his brother’s ruthlessness. 

Octave Chanute rebukes his friend Wilbur for attacking the aviation community, while Curtiss wins a coveted aviation prize leading Wilbur to sink in despair.  

Curtiss finally losing the lawsuit has to make retribution and vows revenge.  The press watch as Curtiss flies the  reconstructed Samuel Langley machine in order to demonstrate that it was truly the first heavier than air machine capable of flight.  

Orville, acting out of emotion on  hearing this news, decides to send the Kitty Hawk flyer to the Museum of Science in London where it will be better appreciated.