Early Aviation History

Historical black and white images of early aircraft and biplanes, capturing significant moments in aviation development before WWI.

CIRCA 1911 CURTISS PUSHER MODEL D ENGINE AND PROPELLER ARE MOUNTED BEHIND THE PILOT RESTING ON A TRICYCLE WHEEL UNDERCARRIAGE

Destroyed russian aircraft at the Smolensk airport Operation Barbarossa - German Invasion of Russia, 1941 - 15th Infantary Division of the Thuringia-Kurhessen Division

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of a de Havilland biplane showing the engine.

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

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II low to the ground after possibly just taking off from Laffan's Plain. 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 teachi

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of a man sat in the rear seat of an Avro 500 biplane.

CIRCA 1911 CURTISS PUSHER MODEL D ENGINE AND PROPELLER ARE MOUNTED BEHIND THE PILOT RESTING ON A TRICYCLE WHEEL UNDERCARRIAGE

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War- the work of Samuel Franklin Cody in Airship, Kite and Aircraft Aeronautics 1903 - 1913 The Cody Aircraft Mark IV monoplane on the ground, built by S F Cody for the 1912 Military Trials. A few weeks before the trials, Cody struck a cow whilst attempting to make a forced landing in the Mark IV after an engine cut out. Cody was thrown clear, largely unhurt, but the cow was killed and the aircraft written off leaving Cody with just four weeks to build a replacement aircraft for the 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 comp

Airplane. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Breguet two seater biplane on the ground with two men stood by the nose of the aircraft. The photograph is rather grainy.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An excellent view of Cody aircraft mark II outside Cody shed, medium close up view, Cody standing alongside. A small group of civilian and military onlookers are stood in the background. Note the mechanic about to spin the propeller to start the engine. 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 aircr

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark III under construction, no rudder or elevator has been fitted yet. Cody built this aircraft for the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain air 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,

Aviation First Austin - First Light plane solo record England to Aust. Bert Hinkler. February 07, 1928. February 7, 1928.

Men in airplane. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Flyer Start 2.7.18. .

Breguet XIV B2 on the ground Civil aircraft Bréguet XIV on the ground, with registration number S-AIAA.

Flyers and mechanics at aircraft Bréguet 14 B2 at Ilug, 1923 Motifs: Flyer Nils Söderberg helps from aircraft Bréguet 14 B2 Civil registration S-AIAA by mechanic Louis Andersson after aircraft competition at international aviation exhibition, Ilug in Gothenburg, 1923.

Illustration of airplanes and hangars at the Russian war showplatz.

Wilbur and Orville Wright with the Flyer II at Huffman Prairie outside of Dayton Ohio in May 1904.

Maurice Chevilliard in aircraft FARMAN HF 20, 1913 French Flyer Maurice Chevilliard arrives at the airfield in Malmslätt in airplane Farman HF 20, 1913. People collection in the background. View from behind.

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.

Oesterr.Hydroplan in Odessa .

British Aviation Prior To the First World War Henri Farman biplane, early form of the Henri Farman design.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Aircraft I taxiing before the first 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 the

First plane to fly the Atlantic non-stop. The Vickers-Vimy-Rolls machine flown by British aviators John Alcock (pilot) and James Brown (navigator), on 14/15 June 1919

At the airfield landing of the apparatus in Kragla.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IA just taking off or just about to land. 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.

Henri farman have been flying with a passenger before delagrange.

New York To Rome Plane Tunes Up -- The "Rome", New York to Rome, non-stop plane in which Cesare Sabelli, Piero Bonelli and Roger Q. Williams made a test flight yesterday. The plane was pictured propeller whirling, just before hopping off. March 06, 1928. (Photo by International Newsreel Photo).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Paulhan F 2 aircraft on the ground near the airship sheds.

At the airfield landing of the apparatus in Kragla.

Wilbur Wright in flight from Governor's Island

Knatchbull M (capt the Hon) Collection French Morane Monoplane: Tenedos, Gallipoli, June 1915.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An Avro 504 biplane with a 80 horse power Gnome engine, on the ground. Another unidentified aircraft is stood in the background.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Bleriot monoplane on the ground in front of the balloon shed.

British Aircraft of the First World War 1914-1918 Royal Aircraft Factory BE.4 at the Central Flying School, Upavon, 1913.

A dog is fascinated by the Comasini biplane glider, at the 'meeting' de Vauville, France Date: 7 August 1923

British Aircraft of the First World War De Havilland 4 (Airco DH.4) two-seat day bomber/reconnaissance biplane. Westland built.

Paris International Air Show 1953. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Island 3 on Malmen, 1920s Motifs: Aircraft island 3 on airfield ore.

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

AVION TORPEDERO VICKERS FABRICADO EN GETAFE.

Photograph depicting the Wright biplane of the pusher type with elevators at the front. Dated 20th Century

Civilian airliner de Havilland DH 50 at Ilug, 1923 . civilian aircraft de Havilland DH 50 with registration G-EBFN at an international aviation exhibition, Ilug, in Gothenburg, 1923.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Breuguet biplane on the ground. The pilot is already sat in the aircraft whilst a passenger is getting in.

J 4 on the ground in front of hangars on F 2 . airplane J 4 on the ground in front of hangars at F 2 Hänernäs.

Subjects: Jim King Collection; Transportation; Aircraft; Aircraft; Alaska. . 1998 - 2011.

Colonel Samuel Franklin Cowdery (Cody), an early aviation pioneer from Davenport, Iowa (USA). He was the first man to conduct powered flight in Britain.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Wright brothers aircraft at Farnborough being inspected by a small group of civilians.

Portrait with aircraft on the ground Portrait of man in front of airplane fvm thumbs up on ore.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II as built, Cody is standing on the machine by the cockpit, others are gathered around whilst several bystanders observe. 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

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

Madrid, 06/17/1915. At the Cuatro Vientos airfield. The infant Don Alfonso and his son the infant Don Álvaro before embarking on the flight they made.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark V on the ground having work carried out on it. Three young boys are playing on the ground next to the aircraft whilst some soldiers and a sailor watch. A women is also stood next to the wing tip.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 (£5000 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, landin

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IIE (Omnibus - so named because of its passenger carrying capabilities), Cody at controls with handlers including Mr. Wackett, a seventy year old assistant of Cody who like several other friends and family was a constant support for him, who is stood next to the wing tip wheel. 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 meani

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An FE 2b with a 120 horse power Beardmore Daimler engine on the ground.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Aircraft I just airborne 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 le

England-Australia mail ***** arrives at the landing ground Brunette Downs - This service is in danger of extinction owing to the deviation-by means of flying boats - across the gulf of carpentaria. January 22, 1939. (Photo by Francis Birtles).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A de Havilland biplane on the ground with a small group of handlers and mechanics.

B 4 set up on an airfield motif: aircraft B 4 marked 27 belonging to F 4 Frösön set up on an airfield. View obliquely from behind.

Bleriot monoplane used by the British army, 1914

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War HRE 2 on water. This is the same as a RE 2 but with floats added.

Airplane on ice, crazy ship aircraft on ice, in the background.

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 close to the ground over a field of cows. 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 and a tail skid has been added. 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. It was in this aircraf

Doc Wildman in Curtiss Boat

J.E. Harriman's Aerocar

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A medium close up of the radiator and cockpit of an SE 1 biplane.

Airplane. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

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 close to the ground. The most important change made with this mark was moving the pilots seat to in front of the engine. It was then 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 and a tail skid has been added. 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

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of men working on a Breguet biplane, note the metal propellor.

Ö 9 on an airfield, 1930s . Aircraft island 9 marked number 5602 Related war air school F 6 on an airfield at F 3 ore. A flight driver stands and prepares in front of the aircraft. Passengers in place in the seat. Side view.

Swedish plan around 1911.

B 1 Bréguet C.U 1 At winter exercise on Lidingö, 1913 . Aircraft B 1 Bréguet C.u 1 Side from the side of a hangar at winter exercise at Lidingö, 1913.

Aeroplane on beach, 27 May 1934, by Leslie Adkin.

People looking at retro styled biplanes

SVA aircraft with which D'Annunzio flew to Vienna, 1918

PRIMER AVION CON MOTOR REALIZADO POR WRIGHT HERMANOS EN 1908. Author: WRIGHT HERMANOS.

Aircraft and Airports - Colorado. Photographs Relating to National Forests, Resource Management Practices, Personnel, and Cultural and Economic History

Atlantic Flown In £180 "Flying Crate" -- Douglas Corrigan's 8-year-old monoplane in which he flew the Atlantic in 28 hours, photographed on arrival at Baldonnel aerodrome, Dublin, yesterday. The machine is an aluminium Curtis-Robin single-seater, single-engined, 165 H.P. Monoplane similar to the one in which Lindbergh made his Atlantic flight in May 1927. Corrigan paid £65 for the plane five years ago. He spent another £15 on it. When Corrigan asked the American authorities for permission to fly the Atlantic in it last year he was told it was not fit for the job. July 19, 1938. (Photo by Keystone).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II in flight. 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 also in this aircraft that Cody won h

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Breguet biplane (F 2) on the ground with handlers.

Airplane in the air, start / landing airplane FVM J 23 flies low.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Henri Farman biplane on the ground being inspected by a group of civilians.

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

Bomber built by A.V. Roe & Co. It was used by the American military during World War One. The bomber has a dual fuselage design and was capable of carrying a significant payload. This image shows the front view of the aircraft, showcasing its streamlined shape and powerful engines.

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

Großenhain. View from the city church with plane

H.M. The King Reviews his Fleet:H.M. The king reviewed the Fleet of Great Britain surrounded by warships from all the Great Maritime ***** of the World. ***** in formation over the Fleet. June 8, 1937.

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, with passenger. 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

Aircraft on arrival at ILUG-23 Close-up of airplanes of aircraft Bréguet XIV B2 Civil registration S-AIAA with drivers at Ilug in Gothenburg 1923.

Airplane Albatros Nab 9 Number 854 Motifs: Airplane Albatros Nab 9 number 854 Related flight companion stands on Malmen's airfield .. from the CVM collection, GP_139.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Captain C J Burke sat in the cockpit of the pusher biplane that he designed talking to a man stood on the ground. One of the airship sheds can be seen in the background.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The B.E. 1 on the ground with a small group of spectators. Photograph shows aircraft in its original state, with a water-cooled Wolseley engine this was sometimes known as the silent aeroplane.

Aircraft Fokker DVII at Ilug, 1923 Motifs: Aircraft Fokker DVII marked number 265 from Dutch display group on.International aviation exhibition, Ilug, in Gothenburg, 1923.

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 Laffan's Plain at quite a low level. 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

An taken Austrian seaplane, World War I, Italy, 20th century.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good close up of Cody at the controls of Cody aircraft mark II. Note the steering wheel control instead of the steering column that most aircraft were and are fitted with. Also visible are the two petrol tanks just behind Cody's head. 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 wel

Anefo photo collection. General rehearsal of the flying party at Soesterberg French plane Caudron G3 from the war 14 "18. July 3, 1958. Soesterberg, Utrecht

Farman flying machine, in flight - digital file from original neg. | Library of Congress

Early aviation history - Meckler-Allen Aeroplane - A biplane intended for transatlantic flight, built by John J. Meckler and C.A. Allen (or Allen Canton) ca. 1912.

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

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