In 1927, a young man by the name of Wilson Miller, from Oneida, NY designed this unique experimental mid-wing aircraft to the surprise of Aviator and engineers alike. 

Miller, who had studied airplanes since his was a young child, developed the machine as part of a "Modern Mechanics" LightPlane Contest while attending Oneide High School as a student.  Given 1st prize in the international contest, Miller competed against aviators and designers from the United States and Canada, and was awarded a grand prize of $100 for both the completeness and originality of his designs.

Featuring a twenty-foot wingspan, a fusclage length of 14 feet, and a 50" wing cord, the machine is powered by a 1928 Harley-Davidson twin-cylinder engine, with which Miller replaced the original 1922 engine two years after its creation.  Producing 18-20 horsepower, the engine has the ability to propell the machine to top speeds in excess of 75 mph, with cruising speeds in the area of 65 mph.

The machine took over three years for Miller to create, and was built from start to finish in the family garage.  Featuring detachable wings, the machine was easily transportable to airfield in the Oneida area.

Millers design and expertise not only captured the attention of "Modern Mechanics", but of the entire airplane industry in the North-east United States.  Literally dozens of newspaper and magazine articles also document the creation of the Miller Light Plane, and before the machine's first flight, Miller even invited Col. Charles E. Lindbergh to pass judgement on its merits.

Miller took the light plane for its initial flight during the summer of its completion, in 1927.

Wilson Miller went on to have a successful career in aviation, using his expertise in flying to acquire positions such as Assistant Manager of the Oneida Airfield, Oneida County Air Distributor, Oneida Air Traffic Controller, and head of sales for Ace Monoplane -- one of America's first light-plane producers.

The rare, homebuilt machine was found in original condition by Wheels Through Time Museum curator, Dale Walksler, in 1992.  With the plane, Walksler was able to acquire all of the original documentation from its build, including blueprints, newspaper articles, and original pictures.