Early 20th Century Aircraft

Vintage images of early aircraft, including biplanes and seaplanes, highlighting aviation history with classic designs and historic backdrops.

monoplano caproni, 1910-1920

Elsevier photo collection. Vickers "Viking", seaplane India route. 1921

Landing in a B.e. 12 A.e. Plane, Ford Aerodrone, Sussex B. E. 2e 90 h.p. RAF 1a engine. Ford Junction Aerodrome, Sussex. October 25, 1918

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Breguet B 3 two seater biplane on the ground in front of the airship sheds. Two men wearing civilian clothes are stood by it inspecting the machine.

Aircraft Thulin "Type N", 135 HP Thulin Engine, at the memory exhibition over Thulin in Landsrona 1929.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view of Cody aircraft mark V on the ground. With the help of his family and friends Cody built the mark V mainly from the remains of the mark III in just four weeks, after both the aircraft that he intended to enter in the trials were written off. It was powered by the 120 hp Austro-Daimler engine which was relatively unscathed from the crashes it had been in. Note the triangular rudders similar to those on the monoplane. It was with this machine that Cody won both the International Division and the British Division (GBP5000 prize in total) of the 1912 military trials, a competition to find an aircraft for the army. 32 machines were entered from 21 companies in a series of tests. These tests covered areas such as rate of climb, speed (both fast and slow), glide angle, landing distance, time of assembly and ability to fly in a high wind. The aircraft had to meet certain other criteria such as having dual control and room for an obse

monoplano caproni, 1910-1920

Flugplatz Covered. .

For Merna to go down forced plane (caproni), understood in disassembly. .

Mollison Plane Fails In Take Off - The New Plane "Seafarer", built in Canada for the Mollisons, as it tried to take off from Wasaga Beach, near Toronto, Canada, Oct. 3, with the flying Britons in an attempt to make a 6,000-mile non-stop flight to Baghdad, Iraq. But the heavy load of gasoline and Equipment was too much, and the plane only rose from the beach momentarily. It bounced back with such an impact that minor damage was caused, so the takeoff had to be postponed for a few days to make repairs. April 10, 1933. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Woerner Eugen (herr) Collection Captured British F. E. 2B. biplane. Lauwe, Ypres, January/July 1916.

Sir Herbert Samuel's second visit to Transjordan. Col. T.E. Lawrence in airplane ready for a flight to el-Azrak. 1921, Jordan

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IIE (Omnibus - so named because of its passenger carrying capabilities) outside his shed on a rather muddy Laffan's Plain. Work is being carried out on one of the rudders. Cody first built this aircraft in 1910; the previous aircraft had been in several crashes and was suffering generally from constant usage. The design of this aircraft followed similar lines to the previous one though the wingspan was shorter by around six feet and the wing area around a third smaller. The mark IIE was fitted an Austro-Daimler engine with an output of 120 hp was fitted. It was two Green engines with the same combined output of 120 hp that Cody originally intended to use when he designed and built the mark II though problems with synchronicity meant that this was never carried out and instead just one of these engines was used meaning that aircraft was underpowered though alterations to the engine and the removal of excess weight partly

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Dunne biplane on the ground. Note the unsual vee-shaped swept back wings, this shape of wing meant that the aircraft was inherently stable (pilots could safely remove both hands from the controls for significant periods of time). The aircraft was designed by Lt John Dunne with funding from the War Office. Mainly due to the lack of a powerful enough engine the aircraft, which was developed through 1908 in great secrecy at Blair Atholl in Scotland, was only able to fly small distances at a time, because of this funding was stopped.

Dead Sea 1920, Middle East, Israel and/or Palestine

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IC (Cathedral - so named because of its size and the size of the hangar it required and the katahedral (lower at the wing tips) arrangement of the wings) about to fly overhead. The most important change made with this mark was moving the pilots seat to in front of the engine. The aircraft was altered several more times, here the additional elevators at the side of the central one (which has now been split in two down the centre) are missing, the rudder is in the original position above the elevator, a tail skid and balancing planes have been added between the wings on the rear outer struts. Particularly with his earlier aircraft Cody made constant adjustments to the arrangement of the flying surfaces, often after crashes, in order to obtain better performance and handling. These changes mean that identifying specific sub-marks of Cody aircraft can at times be very difficult, it should also be remembered that because of t

Early Bi Plane, Aviation

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IB after it had been tipped back on to its undercarriage following the crash. The wrecked elevator at the front of the aircraft can be clearly seen. Cody is stood by the aircraft with several soldiers. A boy and his dog are stood watching in the background. Cody escaped from this crash unhurt apart from a cut on his face. It was caused by the front elevator and rudder spars snapping due to excessive force being placed on them when Cody attempted to make a turn in the aircraft. This version of the mark IB does not have the additional elevators fitted next to the main central elevator instead balancing planes have been added between the wings on the rear outer struts. It is still fitted with the rear undercarriage wheel as opposed to the skid used in later marks. Particularly with his earlier aircraft Cody made constant adjustments to the arrangement of the flying surfaces, often after crashes, in order to obtain better pe

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War De Havilland aircraft mark 2 on the ground with a small group of onlookers.

09/30/1906. Paris. The Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumontphoto: M. Rol &Cie 37, Rue Jorbert Paris.

Photography from albums from Meisters-Airport companies in Gothenburg.

TORD Angstrom with its flight machine, 1912.The image published in Hvar 8 day, Ång III, No. 47.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II flying over Laffan's Plain. What looks like Cody's workshop can be seen amongst the trees in the background. Cody built this aircraft in 1910; the previous aircraft had been in several crashes and was suffering generally from constant usage. The design of this aircraft followed similar lines to the previous one though the wingspan was shorter by around six feet and the wing area around a third smaller. The single propeller was originally intended to be powered by two 60 hp Green engines (mark IIA) though problems with synchronicity meant that this was never carried out. This did mean that the aircraft was underpowered though alterations to the engine and the removal of excess weight partly solved this problem (marks IIB to IID). When this engine was replaced with a 120 hp Austro-Daimler, the aircraft performed well, and in January 1912 carried Cody and four passengers. It was eventually crashed by Lieut. J N Fletcher

Aircraft Thulin C / SW 12 set up in Ljungbyhed. At Enoch Thulin's flight school.

One of the Army giant bombing planes. This Martin bomber is powered with two 400 horse-power Liberty motors which give it a maximum speed of 97 1/2 milesa per hour. The great size of this plane (74 feet wide by 42 feet long) is necessary to carry the crew of four men together with its armament of machine guns and bombs.

British Aviation Prior To the First World War AVRO 500 two seat tractor biplane. Upavon.

Japanese war plane during WWII 1939-45.

Wright Brothers 1903 Aeroplane (Kitty Hawk) on ground. Probably Wilbur Wright lying prone at controls. Evidence indicates photo was taken after first flight attempt, Kitty Hawk, N.C., 12/14/1903 with Wilbur piloting when aeroplane sustained minor damage shown to front elevator and supports. December 1, 1952. (Photo by Camera Clix).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An FE 2 pusher biplane, on the ground with pilot and passenger sat in the cockpit and three men stood around the aircraft.

German -- Captured French Plane -- Morane Sport type

British Aviation Prior To the First World War AVRO 500 two seat tractor biplane. Upavon.

Men in basket of Zeppelin Air Ship

Wilbur Wright giving flight exhibition, Le Mans, France, August 8, 1908

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody boards Cody aircraft mark II whilst a Native American vacates his seat five more including two children are watching. The Native Americans are probably members of one of the Wild West stage shows that toured this country and Europe. For many years Cody and his family put on Wild West shows featuring trick shooting and horse riding and later on produced two Wild West melodramas that toured the country Successfully for many years. The money that this generated was how Cody partly financed his aeronautical work. The Indian braves were apparently not so brave; when Cody started up the engine of the aircraft they bolted scared by the noise of the powerful engine and ended diving into the nearby Basingstoke canal in their attempts to escape! Cody built this aircraft in 1910; the previous aircraft had been in several crashes and was suffering generally from constant usage. The design of this aircraft followed similar lines to the previous on

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of the De Havilland Army Aeroplane. A proud looking man possibly a mechanic or pilot is stood next to the aircraft.

Airplane Thulin D set up in Ljungbyhed. At Enoch Thulin's flight school.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view of Cody aircraft mark II about to fly overhead. Cody can clearly be seen waving. Cody built this aircraft in 1910; the previous aircraft had been in several crashes and was suffering generally from constant usage. The design of this aircraft followed similar lines to the previous one though the wingspan was shorter by around six feet and the wing area around a third smaller. The single propeller was originally intended to be powered by two 60 hp Green engines (mark IIA) though problems with synchronicity meant that this was never carried out. This did mean that the aircraft was underpowered though alterations to the engine and the removal of excess weight partly solved this problem (marks IIB to IID). When this engine was replaced with a 120 hp Austro-Daimler, the aircraft performed well, and in January 1912 carried Cody and four passengers. It was eventually crashed by Lieut. J N Fletcher on the 5th April whilst Cody was teach

Aircraft. Blériots improved channel type 1909. The image possibly from ILIS air show in 1934.

J 5 Hunting falcon on an airfield, 1930s . Aircraft J 5 Hunting falcon set on an airfield.

German "Arrow" aeroplane -- Ziegler type

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IA taking off. This aircraft was the rebuilt version of the original aircraft in which Cody made his first flight. The main difference between that and the mark IA was the addition of the biplane lifting tail and moving the front rudder to behind the elevator. Particularly with his earlier aircraft Cody made constant adjustments to the arrangement of the flying surfaces, often after crashes, in order to obtain better performance and handling. These changes mean that identifying specific sub-marks of Cody aircraft can at times be very difficult, it should also be remembered that because of this constant evolution of his aircraft Cody would probably not have classified them in such a detailed manner.

G. Falkiner & Wife Pauline & Family - Grazier Haddon Rig Stud - Personality. December 14, 1936.

A crashed K.U.K. Biplane in Ostrozets, recorded in Volhynia on March 1916.

A Reconnaissance Caudron G3 ready for take off, World War I, Italy, 20th century.

Gloster Gamecock on an airfield, about 1925 motif: British airplane Gloster Gamecock with registration G-EBNT on an airfield around 1925. View from the side.

Broadbent's record dash ends. May 22, 1935

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II on the ground as built. With a small group of onlookers including some children and a dog. A man in a long white coat, possibly Cody is carrying out some work on the far wing. Cody built this aircraft in 1910; the previous aircraft had been in several crashes and was suffering generally from constant usage. The design of this aircraft followed similar lines to the previous one though the wingspan was shorter by around six feet and the wing area around a third smaller. The single propeller was originally intended to be powered by two 60 hp Green engines (mark IIA) though problems with synchronicity meant that this was never carried out. This did mean that the aircraft was underpowered though alterations to the engine and the removal of excess weight partly solved this problem (marks IIB to IID). When this engine was replaced with a 120 hp Austro-Daimler, the aircraft performed well, and in January 1912 carried Cody and

German Albatrosplan "Taube", about 1915.

Ferdinando di Savoia-Genova, Prince of Udine, with the pilot Leonino Da Zara in a biplane in Bovolenta, Italy, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXVIII, No 7, February 12, 1911.

Albatros on the ground, lieutenants PRIP, Hedén and ligner. Airplane FVM Albatros Nab 9 marked 760 placed on the ground on the ground. In front of the plane stands two lieutenants. Two techniques work with the plane and in the driver's sitting a man.

First DH86 to be used by Qantas on Empire mail service arrives with air mails form England piloted by Capt. Youell who has flown 1,000,000 miles. February 11, 1935. (Photo by T.E.A. Healy).

Vickers-Vimy bomber flown by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown on the first trans-Atlantic non-stop flight, June 14-15, 1919

Photography from albums from Meisters-Airport companies in Gothenburg.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Dunne D.8 pusher biplane, on the ground.

Flyer at the start. .

Airplane on the ground. Airplane fvm j 24b on the ground, winter time.

Airplane Macchi M.7 by Lake Roxen, 1920s Motifs: Airplane Macchi M.7 marked number 945 at a jetty at Lake Roxen at Berg's locks. Aerial mechanics in work with the propeller.

Indian Newspaper Editors in a twin-engine Handley Page bomber, Hendon Aerodrome, October, 1918.

Bleriot aeroplane, on ground

The picture shows the scanning aircraft equipped with Medar for winter insert.Original text: "Ukrainian, b.The picture shows the scanning aircraft equipped with the media for winter inserts.Original text: "Ukrainian, f. D. Russian flying machine of french spade type. The driver has its place in it with machine sprays. During the propeller, it is mounted behind the driver's seat.

1500 meters above Hawaii, a parachutist jumps from a U.S. Navy biplane Date: 1929

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A De Havilland biplane about to fly overhead.

Reproductions of engl.-Franz.Vufphaltmaschinen.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War De Havilland aircraft number 2 on the ground with a small number of onlookers.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A medium close up of Cody in the pilot's seat of Cody aircraft mark III. Cody built this aircraft for the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain race for which there was a GBP10,000 first prize. The mark III was smaller and lighter than Cody's previous aircraft with this compensating for the relatively low power output of the Green engine. It followed a similar design and was fitted with twin rear rudders. There were 32 entrants for the race from Britain and Europe with 21 actually starting the race. Cody was the only pilot / designer / constructor in the race with many of the other entrants being internationally known, professional pilots backed up by factory teams of mechanics, engineers, riggers and the like. The circular route was around 1000 miles in length beginning on the 22nd July 1911 at Brookland's with pilots stopping off at places such as Hendon, Harrogate, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Manchester, Worcester, Bristol, Weston

Anefo photo collection. "Seaotter" Life plane for the navy. March 23, 1950

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Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Bleriot monoplane on the ground in front of the airship sheds.

Kitty Hawk, North Carolina: December 17, 1903 Orville Wright flying during the first powered and sustained flight while Wilbur is on the ground at right.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Breguet biplane (registration B 3) in front of some hangars at Lark Hill with two handlers standing by and a pilot sat in the cockpit.

Caproni Airplane, photographed at the Aviation Experiment Station in Langley Field, Hampton, VA. The photo was received in December 1917 and taken by a Signal Corps photographer. It was issued as photo #268 in November 1917. Additional notes include the identifier C Ca 4051.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An good view of Cody aircraft mark IC (Cathedral - so named because of its size and the size of the hangar it required and the katahedral (lower at the wing tips) arrangement of the wings) in flight low over Laffan's Plain. Cody can clearly be seen at the controls. The most important change made with this mark was moving the pilots seat to in front of the engine. The aircraft was altered several more times, here the additional elevators at the side of the central one (which has now been split in two down the centre) are missing, the rudder is in the original position above the elevator, a tail skid and balancing planes have been added between the wings on the rear outer struts. Particularly with his earlier aircraft Cody made constant adjustments to the arrangement of the flying surfaces, often after crashes, in order to obtain better performance and handling. These changes mean that identifying specific sub-marks of Cody aircraft can at t

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An Avro 500 aircraft on the ground, with a small group of people inspecting it.

Anefo photo collection. Swordfish F DK682 Marine Aviation Service ready takeoff .. {1943-1944}. Britain

Vickers Vimy, G-EAOU, First flight by Australians from England to Australia, 1919, silver gelatin photoprints, On 10 March 1919 the Australian Government offered a 10 000 pound prize for the first flight by Australians from England to Australia. The prize was won by Captain Ross Smith, his brother Lieutenant Keith Smith and Sergeants JM Benett and WH Shiers in the twin-engine Vickers Vimy, G-EAOU. They left Hounslow, UK, on 12 November and arrived at Darwin, NT, on 10 December. Reference: Australian Encyclopedia, 4th edn., 1983.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark III on the ground. Cody appears to be carrying out some work on one of the bracing wires. Several others can also be seen including Mr Wackett, (behind the starboard wing, facing the camera) a seventy year old assistant of Cody who like several other friends and family was a constant support for him. Cody built this aircraft for the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain race for which there was a GBP10,000 first prize. The mark III was smaller and lighter than Cody's previous aircraft with this compensating for the relatively low power output of the Green engine. It followed a similar design and was fitted with twin rear rudders. There were 32 entrants for the race from Britain and Europe with 21 actually starting the race. Cody was the only pilot / designer / constructor in the race with many of the other entrants being internationally known, professional pilots backed up by factory teams of mechanics, engineers, riggers and t

Britain's Largest Flying Boat Takes The Air. A remarkable photograph taken from another machine showing Britain's largest flying-boat the short-metal six-engined bi-plane, matching her first, flight over the Medway at Rochester. She weighs 31 tons and has a wing span of 120 feet and her 5,580 h.p. is about the same as the German D.O.X., which is eighteen tons heavier. August 23, 1932. (Photo by Central Press Photograph).

Igor Sikorsky designed this bomber for the United States Army, with a 30 metre wing span, and an anticipated speed of 225 km/h. Date: 1928

Early Airplane Prototype; Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930); Milan, Italy; 1914 - 1929; Gelatin silver print; 17.2 x 23.4 cm (6 3,4 x 9 3,16 in.)

A Bleriot monoplane in flight.An early Bleriot monoplane in flight at Point Cook. January 01, 1914. (Photo by Australian War Memorial).

Airplane in the air Airplane Phönix C.I with wing tanks in the air.

Phönixjagaren 'Ur-Phönix', on ore . Airplane Phönixjagaren 'Ur-Phönix' marked number 935 on the airfield airfield on the ore, winter time.

The Royal Air Force in the 1930s A Handley Page Heyford Mark III heavy bomber of No 102 Squadron at Honington in 1938.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Maurice Farman biplane on the ground with handlers.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Avro biplane on the ground with a small group of handlers.

Airplane AVRO 504K on Malmen, 1919 . Civil aircraft of type AVRO 504K on Malmen, 1919. Registration number S-AAD. Airline company workshops made review on this aircraft belonging to Herrström.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A BE 1 biplane on the ground.

Weldon B. Cook, Dominguez Field, California, USA, 1912

Seaplane at the seaplane base in Genoa, October 25, 1936, Italy, 20th century.

Airplane TP 24 and T 2 on water, 1945 Preparation for recording of aircraft TP 24 on slip. The aircraft moored. In the background, airplane T 2.

Launching a Coast Guard "Sea Bird". This image depicts a Hall Flying Boat launched at Brooklyn Air Station.

Anefo photo collection. Fokker F7 from 1927 returns to Schiphol. December 30, 1955. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

Jean Battens Plane. Takes of from Kingsford Smith aerodrome for Richmond. October 13, 1937. (Photo by Alec Iverson/Fairfax Media).

Photograph of Alliott Verdon Roe (1877-1958) a pioneer English pilot and aircraft manufacturer, with his triplane. Dated 20th Century

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Bleriot monoplane flying near to the ground.

Armstrong Whitworth Scimitar. One of four for the Norweigian Army Air Services, September 1935

01/31/1922. The Air Crossing from Barcelona to Palma. Arrival at the port of Palma de Mallorca of the seaplane that made the first trip from Barcelona, taking one hour and twenty-five minutes on the journey. Photo: Obradors (with pilot Arturo Zanetti) -.

Anefo photo collection. "Seaotter" Life plane for the navy. March 23, 1950

86 De Havilland Planes - General Aviation. October 15, 1934.

British seaplane

A Handley Page bombing plane takes flight at Hazelhurst Field, Mineola, L.L. The aircraft is being used to train aviators in bombing flights during World War One. Photograph taken on October 9, 1918.

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