UCI Engineering Students Building Full-Scale Replica Biplane

A team of UCI engineering students constructs a full-scale replica of a World War I Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny” biplane, led by graduate students Silvia Tinelli and Stuti Patel. This project partners with the Flying Leatherneck Heritage Foundation, which is building the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at the Great Park. The museum will honor the Marine Corps’ first combat training aircraft. Using original blueprints and modern 3-D printing technology, the team aims to ensure that the replica meets Smithsonian Museum standards. Once completed, the Jenny will be suspended in the museum’s main rotunda.

The collaboration highlights the intersection of historical preservation and engineering innovation. The Flying Leatherneck Museum is expected to open in early 2027 at the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. This endeavor not only preserves history but also engages students in practical applications of mechanical and aerospace engineering.