Early Aviation History

Historic aircraft from the early 20th century, featuring biplanes and early aviation pioneers engaged in test flights and preparations.

transport/transportation aviaton aircraft airliner Germany 1930s 30s 20th century,

Santander. July 1916. Aviation in Santander. Santander aviator Pombo on the test flight of a new device.

British Aviation Prior To the First World War Captain E L Gerrard and Mr R P Short seated in their Short S.45 tractor biplane at Eastchurch.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A medium close up of the Cody aircraft mark III on the ground, showing the engine and undercarriage. The undercarriage is being held slightly off the ground by a simple wooden frame and trestle. This is probably due to the fact that the machine had no brakes and chocks were not yet invented. 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

Brother Berger in its monoplanium Length: 7 m, Vingredd: 9.06 m. 50hk rope. engine. Planet's total weight in a driftful condition: 250 to 300 kg.

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

transport/transportation aviaton aircraft airliner Germany 1930s 30s 20th century,

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) with Cody and a number of mechanics attending. One of the airship sheds can just be seen in background behind some trees along with a large crowd of people. 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 me

Harriet Quimby

Flugplatz Covered. .

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II on the ground. Cody and another are working on the undercarriage of unfinished 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 on the 5th April whi

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good close up of Cody at the controls of Cody aircraft mark V. Note the extra fuel tank behind him. 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 criter

England, 1924. A gigantic airplane. The world's first amphibious aircraft has been built for the Air Ministry and can transport fourteen people. It has two propellers, folding wings (in the engraving they appear folded) and a landing gear for walking on the ground, which can be raised and lowered in a few moments.

The Army Air Corps Heralds 30 Years Of Progress -- The Wright airplane at fort Myer, Va., July 27, 1909. left to right, ***** Lieutenant B.D. Foulois, Wilbur Wright, Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm and Orville Wright. Lahm is a colonel now. Still on active duty and Foulois, chief of the air corps, retired as a Major General.The Wright aircraft pictured in 1909. July 24, 1939. (Photo by Wide World).

Darlings Duck 1888

Geiser Theodore (mons) Collection Captured twin-engined Caudron biplane of the tail-boom type, known as G. 6. (two 110 h. p. Le Rhone engines).

Sk 10 and island 9 on an airfield motif: airplane so-marked number 5521 out of war air school F 5 stands on an airfield. In the background, aircraft is Ö 9. Side view.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II in flight close to the ground. Cody can be clearly seen in the cockpit. 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 teac

Albatros, biplane.

New Supermarine Seagull V takes off from RAAF Richmond. May 25, 1936.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IA in flight. 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 Cody aircraft mark II close to the ground and about to fly overhead. Most of the aircraft is in silhouette. 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

School airplane so-called 10 . School aircraft so-called 10 number 5531 Related f 5 War air school is on an airfield. Framed photo.

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.

Island 9 in a field, 1930s . Airplane island 9 stands on a field. The aircraft is unmarked.

Airplane donnet-lévêque. Close-up of the star engine airplane donnet-lévêque. Close-up of the star engine.

Paulhan aeroplane taking off, Los Angeles, Calif.

Old fashioned airplane flying

Plane British Handley Page

High angle view of a biplane

Orville Wright with his airplane in Berlin, Germany, at Tempelhof Field, 1909. Orville stands near the engine, as two men turn the propellers to start the engine (BSLOC_2018_2_151)

Airplane. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Wilbur and Orville Wright with their second powered machine, May 1904, at Huffman Prairie, Dayton, OH. The Flyer II was almost a complete copy of the Flyer I, but did not fly as well. It was soon replaced by the successful Flyer III in 1905 (BSLOC_2018_2_145)

Burgess Seaplane for N.Y. Naval Militia

British Aircraft Pre-1914 Howard Wright Biplane. Pilot: Mr Sopwith, winner of the Baron de Forrest £4000 prize. Mr. Sopwith flew 169 miles non-stop from Eastchurch to Thirimont on 18th December 1910.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of a pilot sat in a Bleriot monoplane with a large crowd stood in the background.

idrobiplano caproni, 1910-1920

Airplane Macchi M7 number 945 on bridge at water. Bergs lock aircraft Macchi M7 number 945 on the bridge at water with drivers in the seat. At mountain locks, at Lake Roxen.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A BE 1 biplane on the ground with mechanic stood by the wing.

Australia And Back In Three Weeks -- The Vickers Napier "Vivid". Capt. T. Neville Stack, one of the two airman who made the first flights to India by light aeroplane, will start on a flight to Australia with the object of demonstrating the possibilities of fast air mail services. He will be accompanied by Mr. J.R. Chaplin, and will fly a Vickers Napier "Vivid" which has a cruising speed of 125 miles an hour and a range of more than 1,300 miles. It is the object of the airmen to do the double journey in twenty-one days. Immediately after delivering messages they are conveying to Australia, and receiving messages for England, they will begin the return flight. April 1, 1931. (Photo by Central News).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Geoffrey de Havilland flying an FE 1 aircraft quite close to ground next to the airship shed.

James Frederick Cane by his biplane. From the album: James Cane photograph album, circa 1930s, New Zealand, maker unknown.

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

Rosamonde, the first plane manufactured in China 1923

12/31/1918. Air communication of the Allies. Airplane that is part of the squadron placed at the service of the Peace Conference, for the rapid transportation of its Members from France to England.

Curtiss Tanager Wins Guggenheim Trophy -- The Tanager in flight. Note slotted wings. Curtiss Tanager, built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, was awarded $100,000 prize, January 6th in the Guggenheim safe aircraft competition. Its floating ailerons eliminate dreaded Tailspin. January 6, 1930. (Photo by P & A Photos).

British Aircraft Pre-1914 Grahme-White Aerobus five seat passenger carrying biplane.

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

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

Albatros "North Eideoker", 1913. Motor 100 hk.

Flugplatz Covered. .

AVION HEINKEL HE-45- 1937- FRENTE DEL EBRO. Location: EXPOSICION DE LA GUERRA CIVIL ESPAÑOLA. MADRID. SPAIN.

Plane In Which Lindy Will Girdie Globe -- This is the first photograph of the new Ryan Monoplane just completed for Col. Charles A. Lindbergh. According to close friends of the flying Colonel, he will make a flight around the world and is now headed for San Diego to spend about a month three in testing the new plane. (Note powerful headlights on the wings of the plane for night landing). March 30, 1928. (Photo by International Newsreel Photo).

Cellada, crashed Austrian plane. .

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IA in flight after just 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.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Aircraft I following the crash on its first flight. Army personnel are stood around. 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 pre

Civil seaplane Junkers A 35 with registration S-Aabb in air civilian seaplane Junkers A 35 with registration S-Aabb in the air. The aircraft belonging to AB aerial industry. Framed photo.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Sopwith Scout aircraft biplane (numbered 326) on the ground.

Geo. S. Russell

School children visiting F 2, 1939 Children gathered around aircraft S 9 when visiting F 2 Roslagens flying fleet, 1939.

Russian Princess Sonnikowaski & Abramowitsch

Alexandria. Flying boat 'Scipio' at Alexandria. Marine Airport, Ras el-Tin. 1932, Egypt, Alexandria

Image showcasing a military aircraft, nicknamed "The Christmas Bullet," at Hazelhurst Field in Mineola, New York during World War I. The photograph is marked as not for publication and for official use only.

Anefo photo collection. Aircraft show Ilsy III at Ypenburg. Danish Airplane Ellehammer from 1911 whose tires must be pumped up. July 24, 1951. The Hague, Ypenburg, South Holland

Official photograph showing the L.W.P. Engineering Co.'s L-W-P Model F airplane, designated SUBIECT 53446, for government use. This airplane was the first plane to fly with a Liberty motor. Taken on April 8, 1919, at the L.W.P. Engineering Co. location in College Point, Long Island. Caption is numbered AU and notes that it is for official use only.

Historic photograph, pioneers of aviation, around 1918

Vedrines and his war plane

USS Langley (CV-1) Releasing device attached to the plane, 24 May 1924.

Flyer before the climb. .

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

Oreste Salomone Airport. Capua 1928

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

Bicycle of the Air - M. Francois Baudot ex chief engineer of the Bleriot works, has created this future bicycle of the air. It was tried for the first time at issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, in order to assert its patent. October 07, 1936. (Photo by LNA).

Airplane. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Lincoln Beachey

"Airplane accident at Langley Field, Hampton, VA. A J.R.I airplane can be seen with smashed propellers and other damage as a result of the accident. The pilot, Sgt. Major Haslett from the R.F.C., was involved in the incident. Photo taken on January 18, 1918. Photographer: Bechat."

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

86U - The Havilland Dragon Rapide Planes. August 01, 1933. (Photo by London News Agency Photos Ltd.).

A 1, Phönix C.I Dront on an airfield, 1934 . Aircraft A 1, Phönix C.I Dront marked number 1693 associated F 1 Hässlö is on an airfield, in 1934. In the background, aircraft is Ö 9 marked number 1602.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Dunne D.8bis biplane in front of a hangar with a large group of onlookers. The image is under exposed.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A medium close up of Cody aircraft mark III outside the shed on Laffan's Plain. Cody and Mr. Morton with a dog are standing in the background. This is probably due to the fact that the machine had no brakes and chocks were not yet invented. 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 22n

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A medium close up of Cody with two passengers in Cody aircraft mark V. 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

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

"Damaged plane at Rich Field, Waco, Texas after landing in a fence near Hillsboro. This photo is part of the American Military Activities collection and is not for publication. Taken by D.M.A. photographer on December 20, 1918."

Brisbane-Adelaide Air Race. Refuelling Sports Avion. December 17, 1936.

"Sopwith" Tabloid biplane - digital file from original neg. | Library of Congress

Anefo photo collection. Flying party Ypenburg (The Hague) Evert Kreulen and radiographic device. July 31, 1952. The Hague, Ypenburg, South Holland

French Aviator Burri

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Deperdussin monoplane being started at the 1912 Military Aircraft Trials on Salisbury Plain. A caption identifying this as entrant no.21 is faintly visible at the bottom of the picture

Soviet propaganda poster c1930

U. S. Naval Flying Boat, Biplanes

Low angle view of an aircraft in flight, Dominguez Field, Los Angeles, California, USA

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view 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. 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, 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 th

Civil Ambulance Airplane Bréguet XIV S-Asaa Design: Civil Ambulance Airplane Bréguet XIV with marking S-Asaa stands on Malmen's airfield. Driver Ferdinand Cornelius in place in the driver's sitting.

"This photograph captures a Spad 11A2, equipped with a Lorraine 350 H.P. engine, during a demonstration in 1919. It has the same use, endurance, armament, and crew as the Spad-Hispano. The aircraft's speed at an altitude of 6500 feet is 115 miles per hour (Spad 16). Please note this information."

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War - The COW no.11 biplane - see Discussion

Walsh Brothers aircraft at Papakura, 1911. The Howard Wright biplane, imported as a kitset from England and christened 'Manurewa', at Glenora Park, Papakura. New Zealand

Air route to Baghdad via Amman and the desert. Aircrafts 'Hanno' and 'Apollo' at Rutba. The former taking off, leaving a tail of desert dust. 1932, Iraq, Ruṭbah

Aircraft Hanno at Semach. 1931, Biplanes, Israel, Tsemaḥ

British Aircraft Bristol F.2B Fighter Design: Aircraft Bristol F.2B Fighter with English civil registration G-EBGF 41 from the page. At the international aviation exhibition in Gothenburg, 1923 (ILUG).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An excellent view of Cody aircraft mark V in flight close to the ground over Laffan's Plain. 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 a

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