Early Aviation History

Historic photographs of early aircraft on the ground with groups of people, showcasing the evolution of aviation technology.

Los Angeles, California: c. 1926 The world's largest parachute at 85 feet in diameter being inspected in its container by its inventor Heard (Herd) McClellan. He will stall his airplane and then deploy the chute which is attached to the plane and float back to earth while still in the cockpit.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IV Monoplane on the ground, with a group of young boys stood in front. Cody built this aircraft specifically for the 1912 military trials. This single engine tractor design, radically different from his previous ones was significantly quicker and more manoeuvrable than the aircraft he had built before, though this was partly because of the more powerful Austro-Daimler engine which had been transferred from the mark IIE aircraft. Note the unusual tail arrangement with twin elevators and rudders. The Cockpit was semi enclosed with two side by side seats. Also note the aircraft's large size compared to other contemporary monoplanes. Approximately four weeks before the trials (sources disagree on the exact date) Cody struck a cow whilst attempting to make a forced landing after an engine cut out. Cody was thrown clear, largely unhurt, but the cow was killed and the aircraft, apart from the engine and rudder, was written off

Woerner Eugen (herr) Collection German L. V. G. two-seater. biplane (old type). Menin, Ypres Area, January/July 1916.

08/31/1916. Aviation "Raid" from Morocco to Spain. Departure from Seville of the artillery captain Mr. Pastor on his return trip to Asilah.

Anefo photo collection. Farman HF-22, taken into use by the navy. 1915. Soesterberg, Utrecht

At the airfield landing of the apparatus in Kragla.

Two men on floats on airplanes 1 motif: Sea airplane s 1 on Lake Roxen. Two men stand on each float.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An excellent photograph 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

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good photograph of the Cody aircraft mark IA in a thin layer of snow, note the apparently buckled undercarriage. 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.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Martinsyde monoplane on the ground.

Los Angeles, California: c. 1926 The world's largest parachute at 85 feet in diameter being inspected in its container by its inventor Heard (Herd) McClellan. He will stall his airplane and then deploy the chute which is attached to the plane and float back to earth while still in the cockpit.

Swiss Mountain Aviators

Plane British Handley Page

Mechanic and aircraft for aircraft Caspar Cle 11 at Ilug, 1923 Motifs: Mechanic and Flyman in work on civilian aircraft Clepar CLE 11 with registration D282 at international aviation exhibition Ilug in Gothenburg, 1923. In the background, civil aircraft Stahlwerk Mark RIII / 22 with registration D -283.

Orville Wright Prepares to Take Off

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Aircraft I during the first sustained flight. Cody began building the British Army Aircraft I in 1907 with the design similar to the kites and glider that he had successfully flown. It had twin propellers, chain driven by a single 50 hp Antoinette engine, the propellers were situated behind the leading edge of and between the upper and lower wings. When he had finished building the aircraft Cody carried out an extensive period of tests to the aircraft often involving hops off the ground. Throughout this period of testing there was intense public and press interest with Cody often being ridiculed for his apparent lack of progress in comparison with foreign pilots and designers particularly the Wright brothers who were touring Europe at that time. Cody made the first sustained flight (lasting 27 seconds and for a distance of around 1390 feet) on the 16th October 1908. Though he had made previous short flights or leaps this was t

Airplane FVM S 18 Number 984 On Malmen Airfield Airplane FVM S 18 Number 984 Laid up on Malmens Airfield. Flight drivers and scouts in place in the aircraft. Mechanic at the aircraft wing.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An excellent 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 a

A twin-engine Handley Page taxiing back to its shed, Hendon Aerodrome, October, 1918.

Flyer, 1912.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A BE 2 biplane on the ground. The photograph is rather grainy.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War An airborne Fairey Swordfish in flight, showing the position of the rockets used to assist the aircraft in take off. The Fairey Swordfish was operating from Royal Naval Air Station at Maydown in Northern Ireland. Note the radar dome mounted beneath the chin of the aircraft.

Aircraft and Balloons Used by Some of the Air Pioneers Who Were Contemporary With Samuel Franklin Cody. A BE 2 two seater biplane on the ground. It has been fitted with an oleo-pneumatic undercarriage.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Paulhan aircraft on the ground.

Winston Churchill

Airplane FVM 18 on an airfield at Malmen, 1923 Motifs: Airplane FVM S 18 Civil registration S-Alaa on an airfield on the ore.

This photo dates to the early 1920s. The caption reads: The Last Word in Fighting Airplanes. This new type of Spad machine shows the propeller mounted between the observer and the pilot, thus giving the observer a clear range in combat instead of the old way of shooting through the propeller.

As a Pilot for the 1919 Peace Treaty talks special Communication Squadron, Briggs flew many VIPs. Here, he tests the motor before a trip with Australia's Prime Minister W.M. Hughes. January 13, 1954.

Freak Plane Makes Appearance - The airplane which resembles a giant surfboard with a motor and cabin attached beneath, which was designed by Earl E McClary and prepared for flight here. The craft is one of the most unique experiments in aeronautics ever devised. It is largely composed of wing, the cabin, motor and landing gear being suspended beneath the wide surface through which a hole was cut for the propelled to turn. Great lifting power is credited to the pear-shaped wing by the inventor. April 05, 1929. (Photo by International Newsreel Photo).

Image of an airplane at the Soesterberg airbase in Soesterberg (municipality of Soest).

Sir Alan Cobham Tests His Machine For Africa Flight -- The giant all-metal Singapore flying boat, in which Sir Alan Cobham is to make a survey round Africa in the air, at Rochester when it was piloted by Sir Alan on a trial flight. It is intended to start from Rochester some time next week. February 6, 1928. (Photo by Central News).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War; Louis Blériot aircraft RAE-O174

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) flying over head. 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 this c

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American Mail Airplane, Biplanes

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of Gustav Hamel in the cockpit of a Bleriot Monoplane.

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) - in flight over Basingstoke canal, Cody appears to have both hands off the control column. 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 ti

Airplane Siskin on the ground aircraft Armstrong Whitworth Siskin Mk.iia. "The Siskin hunter".

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good close up of Cody at the controls of Cody aircraft mark IA. The intricate arrangement of bracing wires can be clearly seen along with the Union Jack attached to a strut. 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.

86 De Havilland Planes - General Aviation. May 1, 1934.

Savoia-marchetti s.64, 1928

Germany -- Gotha Type

Britain's £10,000,000 Air Show Window. A tailless Research Glider at the display; it has a "V" wing form. Visitors from all parts of the world attended the first of a four-days flying display and exhibition of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors at Radlett, Herts, today. September 9, 1947. (Photo by Fox Photos).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Sopwith Tabloid in flight over Farnborough.

39Q Gliders Japanese. November 21, 1938. (Photo by J.P.L. Photo).

Single-seater fighter plane Offiziers-Stellvertreter Josef Siegel with a single-seater fighter plane; South Carinthia. Photographer: 10. Armeekommando.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An SE 1 being towed by four men whilst a small boy walks alongside watching.

Hubert Latham, pioneering French aviator seen in his bird like Antoinette monoplane at Reims in 1909. Latham recorded the second longest flight at the event, Henri Farman the longest. Date: 1909

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Sopwith Scout biplane on the ground with two handlers.

At the airfield rise of the apparatus in Kragla.

Paulhan and Hamilton aeroplanes in flight, Los Angeles

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Geoffrey de Havilland sat in a de Havilland biplane.

I.P.C., Iraq Petroleum Company. Plane on landing ground. 1934

An aerial picture of the machine in flight. New type monoplane for the royal air force. The "Westland Army Co-operation Monoplane". A new type of monoplane capable of phenomenal speed (not yet disclosed), built by Petters, Ltd., of Yeovil, Somerset, has been ordered in large numbers by the R.A.F. Special Trial Flights. It was designed, built and flown in twelve months, which is a record in specialised aircraft construction. October 15, 1936. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency, Limited).

Breguet biplane about to take off, c1914-c1918. Artist: Unknown.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War- the work of Samuel Franklin Cody in Airship, Kite and Aircraft Aeronautics 1903 - 1913 Cody Aircraft Mark IC (nicknamed Cathedral), with S F Cody at the controls, passes a marker post at the 1909 Doncaster Aviation Meeting, the first organised aviation meeting in Britain. Shortly after the photograph was taken, the aircraft crashed when its undercarriage became caught in a ditch. However it only sustained minor damage. S F Cody became a British citizen during an elaborate ceremony staged at this meeting in order to be able to enter a number of flying competitions which were only open to British entrants.

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

"Smithy" and the Southern Cross junior at Heston Air Park, Honslow, taken immediately prior to the start of his flight to Australia. This photograph was carried by wing commander Kingsford Smith in his 'plane which arrived in Sydney yesterday. April 15, 1931. (Photo by The Vacuum Oil Co. Pty. Ltd.).

Low angle view of an aircraft flying over a river

Mollison's New Plane - A general view showing the plane "Seafarer II" at stag lane before leaving.Mr. Jimmy Mollison the famous airman left stag Lane aerodrome this morning (Friday) for Newcastle in his new aeroplane which has been built for his bid for a world record. January 19, 1934. (Photo by London News Agency Photos Ltd.).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II in flight close to the ground with a passenger. 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 teaching him to fly. It was

'Go With Friendly Natives - Sims-Smith Safe.' That Is The Message Of Reassurance Painted On The Underwing Of This Stearman Pt-17, Which Cruised The Bail-Out Area And Led To The Rescue Of The Boeing B-29 Crew Which Bailed Out In Jungle Country. The Air S

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Aircraft I following the crash on first flight, being hauled by soldiers. Cody began building the British Army Aircraft I in 1907 with the design similar to the kites and glider that he had successfully flown. It had twin propellers, chain driven by a single 50 hp Antoinette engine, the propellers were situated behind the leading edge of and between the upper and lower wings. When he had finished building the aircraft Cody carried out an extensive period of tests to the aircraft often involving hops off the ground. Throughout this period of testing there was intense public and press interest with Cody often being ridiculed for his apparent lack of progress in comparison with foreign pilots and designers particularly the Wright brothers who were touring Europe at that time. Cody made the first sustained flight (lasting 27 seconds and for a distance of around 1390 feet) on the 16th October 1908. Though he had made previous short

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark III in flight. Another biplane is in the far distance. Cody built this aircraft for the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain race for which there was a £10,000 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-s

Navy Auster, similar to the runaway plane, about to take off from Bankstown in the chase. September 26, 1955.

The Aeroplanorama Aviation Museum (1960-1967) established on the site of Schiphol Airport. Model of the Wright Flyer, the first motorized plane that came from the ground and really flew, and made by the Americans Wilbur (1867-1912) and Orville (1871-1948) Wright.

J 3 Fokker on F 3 . Airplane J 3 Fokker Portrait on an airfield on the F 3 ore.

transport transportation aviation aeroplane bi-plane 1920s,

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An SE 1 on the ground with mechanics relaxing on the ground next to the undercarriage.

Photography from albums from Meisters-Airport companies in Gothenburg. Karl Gistaf Meister.

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.

Harriman Hydroaeroplane

Airplane Hawker Hart Answer M "The avenger" at F 19 Motifs: Aircraft Hawker Hart Answer M "The avenger" by F 19, the Swedish Volunteer in Finland in the air over snowy landscape. Two men in the crew.

Poll photo collection. National Aerial Jource Holland. A mecanician talks to the adspirant pilot of the Koolhoven-FK 46 lesson plane nicknamed 'cow or cowbeest' because of its docile flight behavior of the National Aviation School Holland in Amsterdam Schiphol. 1933. Amsterdam, Rotterdam

Sk 11 on airfield on F 5, 1939 Motifs: Aircraft SK 11 marked number 23 (519) Airfield on F 5 Ljungbyhed. In the background, hangars are visible. Side view.

Seaplane at the seaplane base in Genoa, July 26, 1936, Italy, 20th century.

Early airplane prototype. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Some of the planes at the N/cle aero club pageant Wackett Training planes. September 10, 1947.

Launch of "America"

Airplane on the ground Airplane FVM / CFM Thumbsite, island1, No. 3656 in front of hangar.

One of the sister-planes ***** Southern Sky. The Southern Cloud vanished on March 21, 1931. The silence of 27 years was broken after Tom Sonter, a Snowy River Scheme carpenter, left his camp on October 26, 1958, to climb the steep slope of the Too-long Range to find an eyrie from which to photograph the rugged beauty of the Tooma River Gorge. As he sweated through the bush he tripped over debris. He picked up a piece of metal, and read on it: "A. V. Roe and Co. Ltd., Aeronautical Engineers, Manc

Early airplane with a gun. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Phuket, formerly known as Talang and, in Western sources, Junk Ceylon (a corruption of the Malay Tanjung Salang, i.e. 'Cape Salang'), is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries. Phuket, which is approximately the size of Singapore, is Thailands largest island. The island is connected to mainland Thailand by two bridges. It is situated off the west coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ship logs of Portuguese, French, Dutch and English traders. The region now derives much of its income from tourism.

North Carolina - Wade Point. Wade Point Light Station, North Carolina. Taken Feb. 7, 1918 by Asst. Supt. Buckler.

Towing a downed plane, Aviation

British Arctic Air Route Expedition: One of the Moth aeroplanes on floats, with two Eskimos in their Kayaks. December 28, 1931. (Photo by British Arctic Air Route Expedition Photograph).

Plane Makes Low Cost Efficiency Test Run from New York of Capital -- The Wright Bellanca plane after its arrival at Washington from New York after a run of 250 miles, 23 Gallons of Gas for the distance, at a rate of $6.94 per passenger. This test flight will probably prove the low cost of passenger flights between cities. January 25, 1927. (Photo by International Newsreel Photo).

Madrid. March 1910. The first aviation tests in Madrid. The "Blériot" airplane with which the aviator Mamet made some flights in the Ciudad Lineal.

Wilhelm Kress's airplane of water. Wilhelm Kress (1836-1913) an aviation pioneer. Dated 20th Century

The first widgeon amphibian - 1925. It took off successfully from Botany Bay but crashed during the landing, when it struck a wave. Wackett was subjected to barrage from some Sydney press of time, but made a second, completely successful flight a short while later. June 23, 1950.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IB on the ground. Note the streamers attached to the wing struts, this was to help Cody study the airflow around the aircraft whilst it was in flight. Soldiers are stood around watching and helping. This aircraft was the rebuilt version of the Cody's second aircraft. With this mark additional elevator surfaces were added either side of the original elevator's and the biplane lifting tail was removed. 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.

First Airplane for London -- The original Wright biplane.The original Wright biplane, in which the first successful flight in ***** heavier than air machine was made at Kittyhawk, North Carolina in ***** has been shipped for Great Britain, where it will be placed on Exhibition at the British Museum for an indefinite period. July 04, 1928.

Avión de pasajeros, mercancías y correo postal, modelo "Potez", de la compañía Air Union, de París. Año 1924.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view of the Cody aircraft mark IV Monoplane on the ground with a small group of people stood around. Cody built this aircraft specifically for the 1912 military trials. This single engine tractor design, radically different from his previous ones was significantly quicker and more manoeuvrable than the aircraft he had built before, though this was partly because of the more powerful Austro-Daimler engine which had been transferred from the mark IIE aircraft. Note the unusual tail arrangement with twin elevators and rudders. The Cockpit was semi enclosed with two side by side seats. Also note the aircraft's large size compared to other contemporary monoplanes. Approximately four weeks before the trials (sources disagree on the exact date) Cody struck a cow whilst attempting to make a forced landing after an engine cut out. Cody was thrown clear, largely unhurt, but the cow was killed and the aircraft, apart from the engine and rudder

The work of Samuel Franklin Cody in Airship, Kite and Aircraft Aeronautics 1903 - 1913 in England A medium close up of Cody at the controls of Cody aircraft mark II with a Native American in traditional dress as a passenger. The Native American is probably a member 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 up 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

Oscar Asks Monoplan on Ljungbyhed in 1911 in front of the hangar there.

S 7 Hawker Hart in the air, 1930s . Aircraft s 7 Hawker Hart marked number 1302 in the air.

The Flying Bicycle - The new bicycle plane seen in the Berlin-Adlershof.A flying bicycle built by Karl Lindemann, an ex-policeman, and Willy Sonne, A mechanic, has been accepted by the German Airways Company and will make its first test flight very shortly. June 04, 1934. (Photo by The Associated Press).

05/03/1912. Gerona. The aviator Tixier, who has made various flights in Figueras. Photo: Verdaguer.

Fokker S.IV 124 in the run. Reproduction from photo album from R.B. Lewis.

Well Rogers & Wiley Post shown in their planer ***** after landing at Fairbanks Alaska on the light that ended in their deaths near parent Barrow this was their last stop before the *****. September 10, 1935.

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