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

Historical engine aircraft from 1911, exemption -generated 3D illustration with a historic motor aircraft from 1911 isolated on a white background

Paris. 1906 (CA.) Santos Dumont's new airplane.

Skiopticone image with motifs of aircraft.

H. Broadbent. April 01, 1938

French Salmson 2A2 observation airplane, used by the US Army during World War I. The airplane has a wing spread of 38 ft. 6 in. and is equipped with a Salmson 270 HP motor. It has an endurance of 2 hrs. 45 min. and can climb to 6,500 ft. in 7 min. 15 sec. The airplane has a top speed of 116 miles and a ceiling of 20,300 ft. It is armed with 2 guns.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IB following a crash and still bedecked with a Union Jack and streamers. Several army and civilian observers are stood around. 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 performance and handling. These changes mean that identifying specific sub-marks of Cody aircraft can at times be very difficult, it

Wright Brothers with Second Airplane on Huffman Prairie

Farman aeroplane 1908

Airshow, Boeing Stearman aircraft with stunt woman on the wings

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of the undercarriage of Cody aircraft mark II. Several men can be seen in the background looking at the aircraft. 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 o

Flying boat 'City of Khartoum' on the Sea of Galilee, ca. 1935. 1935, Israel

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The De Havilland Army Aeroplane in flight possibly at the same time but not part of the Army trials.

Poll photo collection. Netherlands Antilles and Suriname at the time of the royal visit of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1955. Airplane probably at the Airstrip with care and hope (Paramaribo). October 1, 1955. Paramaribo, Suriname

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Bleriot monoplane (number 11) on the ground with a large crowd of onlookers.

1920S Male Pilot Trying To Turn Plane'S Propeller By Hand

Frank Coffyn

Collection of the Dutch Heidematschappij. airplanes. undated

Work On Patrol Plane. This image depicts Coast Guard aviators working on a patrol plane.

Samuel Pierpont Langley (1834-1906), American astronomer and aeronautical pioneer. Langley's steam-powered model plane 'Aerodrome' viewed from above and below. In 1896 Aerodrome 5 flew 3/4 mile. From 'Scientific American', November 1902

The last hurdle II.

French aviator Louis Paulham aboard the biplane Voisin.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Nulli Secundus II flying directly overhead. This was an enlarged version of the original Nulli Secundus and used the same Antoinette Engine. The airship was only operated for around two months before being scrapped.

Klemm WL 25 Ia floatplane 1932. Creator: Unknown.

A Pamelio Bomber at the Aviation Experiment Station, Langley Field in Hampton, VA. This photograph is from November 1917 and was taken by the SIGNAL CORPS of T.R.A. It is listed as Issue Number TEC Dec.1917. The bomber is seen in a stationary position during a test or experiment.

Messerschmitt M 18 plane, 1920s, (1932). Creator: Unknown.

Gliders.

A Sopwith Camel, c1917-c1918. Artist: Unknown.

Alaska - Point Barrow, Aerial Photograph.

Madrid. 05/29/1923. At the Cuatro Vientos airport. The famous aviators Gago Coutinho (1) Sacadura Cabral (2) and Commander Herrera, Ferry, with the Minister of Portugal (3) next to the airplane in which they arrived from Lisbon and continued their trip to Paris.

Juan de la Cierva and Mister Bonchenew triumph of the Cierva autogyro, the wise Spanish engineer, accompanied by Mr. Bonche, at the Croydon aerodrome, before undertaking the Crossing of the English Channel, carried out with great success. Photo Ortiz.- (Published in black and white on September 30, 1928).

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Supermarine Spitfire. Spitfire Mark IIA, P7613, being brought in to land at Hullavington, Wiltshire, by a pilot of the Empire Central Flying School.

Mather Field, Sacramento, California. The pilot was attempting to take off from the small cross-country field. When making his first turn, the strong and unpredictable wind caught under the wing, causing the plane to tip over. Fortunately, the pilot emerged from the incident unharmed.

"Walrus" To Hunt The Whales.A "Walrus" aircraft is swung aboard the arctic whaling ship "Beleana" at Southampton, the 'Factory' is sailing shortly for arctic waters, to hunt whales, which it is hoped, after research has been carried out may make an addition to Britain's food. Stocks in the form of whale meat steaks. October 15, 1946. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Mme. Franck

Sea plane - Byrd Antarctic Expedition II, circa 1928-1935, by Leslie Adkin.

Captain Jean-Marie Le Bris: Albatros, 2nd version Captain Jean-Marie Le Bris: Albatros, 2nd version.

Biplane. From the album: James Cane photograph album, circa 1930s, New Zealand, maker unknown.

1st mail carrier 1928 , Biplanes, Air shows, Eastern Air Transport. Edmund L. Mitchell Collection

Anefo photo collection. Demonstration Safe Power, lifting tap truck for aircraft at Valkenburg (at Leiden). October 15, 1953. Valkenburg, South Holland

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A de Havilland FE 1 biplane on the ground note the spare wicker seat on the ground next to the aircraft.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A 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) dismantled and loaded on to a cart probably at Aldershot. Parts of the undercarriage and wing are clearly visible. There are several army and civilian onlookers. It was in this aircraft that Cody made the first passenger carrying flight in Britain (Colonel Capper on the 14th August 1909) and several record breaking flights including one cross-country of around forty miles and lasting an hour and three minutes, passing over Aldershot, Camberley, Fleet, Farnham and Farnborough on the 8th September 1909. This was the furthest cross-country flight that had ever been made, anywhere in the world and the longest flight in time and distance in the British Empire. Only six other pilots and four types of machine had flown over forty miles anywhere in the world and

Aviation-Aircraft. This image depicts a PH-2 Flying Boat.

Anefo photo collection. Minister Drees Jr. Opens Aviodome at Schiphol, Minister Drees with Lord De Lange (director of the National Aviation Museum Foundation) by plane /. July 10, 1971. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Harry B. Brown

At Nice, Oehlschlager on Bleriot monoplane - Above is Farman aeroplane of Rawlinson

San Sebastián, 1923 (CA.) D. Juan de la Cierva, inventor of the autogyro and Spanish aeronautical scientist, shows his invention to his compatriots.

Jan Olieslaegers in Utrecht/ 25 Aug. 1910

Bleriot, in workshop, in his flying machine

Ansaldo 1, an Italian pursuit airplane used during World War I. It had a high speed and fast climb, but short endurance. It had a wing span of 25 feet and 2 inches, and was powered by a 220 HP motor. Its endurance was around 1 hour and 40 minutes. It had a climb time of 5 minutes and 30 seconds to reach 6,500 feet and a top speed of 134 miles per hour at that altitude. Its ceiling was 26,200 feet and it was armed with 2 guns. This photograph was taken by the Signal Corps of the United States Army.

Starting on an instructional flight in a Miles Magister. The pupil is in the rear cockpit', 1940. Artist: Unknown

Flight of the French airship Bleriot on the Simmeringer Haide, Verlag or k, University bookstore R, Lechner Wilh, Müller, photographer, publisher

Airplane Phönix C.I DRONT NUMBER 0124 Airplane Phönix C.I Dront number 0124 loaded on car at the flying board at the ore. Military and drivers by the car.

Ice Auto

Airplane silhouettes.

Art. Smith & Mr. Ozaki

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

Canada, Quebec, Lac Brome-Knowlton. Brome County Historical Society, WW1-era German Fokker D-VIII fighter airplane

Flying boat 'City of Khartoum' on Sea of Galilee, ca. 1935. 1935, Israel

The 'La Fregate' monoplane of Robert de Lesseps, with wings designed to act like those of a bird Date: 1910

Giant of Hiram Maxim, by Willard R. Lox

Air views of Palestine. Aircrafts etc. of the Imperial Airways Ltd., on the Sea of Galilee and at Semakh. Aircraft 'Hanno' pilots. Officers of the Imperial Airways Ltd. Semakh, Galilee. 1931, Flight crews, Airplane propellers

Mollisons Off To Pendine To Prepare For Big Flight -- Mr. and Mrs. Mollison's plane "Seafarer" in the air shortly after leaving Stag Lane - Picture from the air.Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Mollison took off in their black aeroplane "Seafarer" from Stag Lane Aerodrome, near London for Pendine to begin final preparations for the takeoff in the long-distance record flight attempt. The aircraft which crashed at Croydon Aerodrome when they attempted to set off a few weeks ago has been rebuilt. July 3, 1933.

"In this photograph, taken in December 1918, a plane is shown wrecked at Love Field in Dallas, Texas. The forced landing caused damage to the propeller, lower wings, right wheel, two wing skids, and motor. The pilot, Lieut. J.P. Maloney, was involved in the incident."

Orville Wright Flying Over Huffman Prairie

1920S Charles Lindbergh And Lt. Col. Fisher At France Field By Spirit Of St. Louis Airplane

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A distant photograph of a Maurice Farman biplane coming into land.

Vintage Photograph. Ice fishing with plane on Mille Lacs about 90 miles north of St Paul Minesota.

1930s 1939 WACO AIRPLANE ON FLOATS IN EAST RIVER AT WALL STREET DOWNTOWN SKYPORT NEW YORK CITY USA

Crashed plane. .

Portrait of Bertram Dickson on the plane of Henri Farman; Capitaine Dickson, Sur Biplan H. Farman 10 m. D'Envergure; Motor Gnome The 50 HP. .

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IB on the ground being inspected by a small crowd of soldiers. 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.

Gösta Andrée at the airport outside Bengashi, Christmas 1929.

Glider turning to right, Chanute gliding experiments

Illustration depicting Hiram Maxim's steam-powered plane. Hiram Maxim (1840-1916) an British inventor. Dated 19th Century

Sunset And Speed -- Stipio, a four engined flying boat launched at Rochester for the Mediterranean section of Imperial Airways route to India, passing over the Nedway during a trial flight. April 15, 1931. (Photo by Central News).;Sunset And Speed -- Stipio, a four engined flying boat launched at Rochester for the Mediterranean section of Imperial Airways route to India, passing over the Nedway during a trial flight.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Cody aircraft mark VIA being demonstrated as an Ambulance plane (in the background). A group of six soldiers and mechanics including (sat in the middle of the left hand row) Mr Wackett, a seventy year old assistant of Cody who like several other friends and family was a constant support for him, are sat on the stretcher resting on supports in the foreground, with various medical supplies and their container on the ground next to them and laid out for display. This was both the last and the largest of Cody's aircraft and was intended to take part in the Daily Mail Coastal Circuit of Britain contest. This competition was to begin in August 1913 from Calshot near Southampton following the south and east coast to Inverness down the Caledonian canal to the west coast, across the Irish sea to Dublin, round Land's End to Falmouth and then returning to Southampton all to be done within 72 hours. The aircraft was again a biplane with a single f

Double -decker aircraft in the sky double -decker aircraft in the sky copyright: xzoonar.com/dr.xnorbertxlangex 14337263

Argentinian designer Marchese Raul Pateras de Pescara builds several helicopters 1919 to 1924, tested in France : this 1922 model has four rotors to provide vertical lift Date: 1922

Moulin

The ship Mudanya at the İzmit port

Fighter planes in flight

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War- the work of Samuel Franklin Cody in Airship, Kite and Aircraft Aeronautics 1903 - 1913 Spectators surround the Cody Aircraft Mark III outside S F Cody's shed on Laffan's Plain near Aldershot. The Mark III was a smaller and lighter design than Cody's previous aircraft. It was built for the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain Air Race in July 1911, which offered a £10,000 first prize. The race, with 21 participants, started at Brooklands on 22 July and was won by Lt Conneau of the French Navy (entered under the pseudonym of Beaumont) in a Bleriot monoplane on 26 July. Cody suffered several mishaps and fell out of contention as a result. However he completed the 1000 mile course and received a great deal of publicity. Cody went on to win his second and third Michelin trophies in this aircraft. It was badly damaged on 3 July 1912 by Major H D Harvey-Kelly who hit a tree while landing.

07/31/1923. Rhoen (Germany). Engineless Airplane Competition. A flight from the Swedish Berwik.

Curtiss Flying Boat, Model 12

Crashed and burned Ital. Airplane at Montegliano 1.11.17. .

05/31/1911. Aviation contest in Getafe. The aviator Mr. Granell and his wife who have come to Madrid to take part in the competition.

Havy breakdown. The remains of aircraft FVM S 18. No. 0106 on Revinghead, 1920.

Fotocollectie Eerste Wereldoorlog. In 1917, Chief Louis Almgren and aviator Ovar Meyerhoffer pose in the cockpit of the 120-horsepower plane that was expected to become an integral part of the San Diego Fire Department. The "flying boat," equipped to drop chemical fire retardants, never saw action in a real fire. 1917. Amerika, San Diego

pedalò a viserba, 1920-1930

Deutsches Museum. Flying machine hall.

Nazi aviator in a monoplane circa 1928

Red airplane toy, illustration, vector on white background.

Fabre hydroplane, Monaco, 1911

Collection of the Dutch Heidematschappij. Second proto-type. undated

Biplane. From the album: James Cane photograph album, circa 1930s, New Zealand, maker unknown.

Testing plane

Moissant Machine wrecked

Junkers F13 L plane, 1920s, (1932). Creator: Unknown.

The second British woman pilot: Mrs. de Beauvoir Stocks in her Farman biplane, 1911 (1933). Artist: Flight Photo.

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