Early Aviation History

Historic aircraft from the early 20th century, featuring bi-planes and unique designs, reflecting the pioneers of flight.

Curtiss Golden Flyer or Curtiss No 1 biplane

The world record for flying with 4 passengers was taken in 1910 by the German Simon Brunnhuber in an albatross plan. Height 40 meters!

Image shows a 3/4 front view of a Nieuport airplane at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, VA. The photograph was taken on June 18, 1917, and is labeled as #111-SC-3294. The description indicates that the image was received from the Aviation Experiment Station on February 19, 1918.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Either the Cody aircraft mark IIE (Omnibus - so named because of its passenger carrying capabilities) written off in amongst some trees after the pilot Lieut. J N Fletcher crashed it whilst coming in to land or the mark III after it hit a tree whilst the pilot Major H D Harvey-Kelly was landing. There are several civilian and army onlookers stood around many of whom have arrived on bicycles. In the case of the IIE Cody was a passenger in the aircraft as he was teaching Fletcher to fly at the time. Cody broke his shin bone as well as being badly bruised and concussed, Fletcher was largely uninjured. Unfortunately Frank Cody was hurt in a cycling accident after seeing the crash and racing home to tell his mother. Father and son arrived at home in ambulances shortly after one another.

Photograph taken in 1919 showing various types of airplanes used during World War One. This image is part of the "Photographs of American Military Activities" collection and has the reference number 111-SC-13036. The photographer is NECD, and the description notes that there are 129 issued types of airplanes featured in the picture. The EU symbol and the words "3036 3-100" are also present.

Aircraft so-called 12 marked 20 from F 5, 1940s . airplane so-called 12 labeled from F 5 in the air.

Glenn Curtiss in Zijn Vliegtuig te reims; Curtiss aerial locomotion, on biplane in Reims (27 August 1909, speed record 74 killy in 1 hour). .

Wings over Palestine-Certificates of Flying School, April 21, 1939. A plane about to take off for a test flight (closer up), Lydda Air Port. 1939, Israel, Lod

A german light biplane which has crash landed and come to rest on its nose on the battlefield - World War One. Date: circa 1915

12/31/1921. Juan de la Cierva's autogyro.

Old fashion plane flying low above ground

This photograph shows the wreckage of an airplane at Love Field in Dallas, Texas. The image is from the collection of the Director of Military Aeronautics and was taken on September 3, 1918. The photograph is labeled as being for official use only.

Lincoln Beachy aloft

Fokker F.II (H-NABC) in the air, c. 1920 - c. 1930 photograph Album magazine with a photo of a Fokker F.II (H-NABC) of the Royal Aviation Company for the Netherlands and Colonies, flying above (presumably) dune area. Part of the memorial album of the Indies line of KLM, part I. paper. photographic support. cardboard gelatin silver print airborne traffic, aviation. travelling; tourism. aircraft, aeroplane

Close up shot of the front of a Pomilio plane at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, VA. The image shows the propeller and landing gear. Captured on September 3, 1917. The photograph was received from c.0. photographer RECO, with the reference number 111-SC-3403.

"Photograph of a Martin Type R airplane (No. 523) taken at Langley Field, Hampton, Va. on January 10, 1918. The photograph was released by W.C.D. to the Photo Division, S.C. subject to approval by the Signal Corps. Approved on February 21, 1918. For official use only."

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Maurice Farman biplane on the ground with a large group of spectators in the background.

Ernest Archdeacon (1863-1950) French lawyer and aviation pioneer in the take-off position in his copy of a Wright glider.

Bessie Coleman, American Aviator

Photograph of Maurice Farman's biplane. Maurice Farman (1877-1964) an Anglo-French Grand Prix motor racing champion, an aviator, and an aircraft manufacturer and designer. Dated 20th Century

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

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IC (Cathedral - so named because of its size and the size of the hangar it required and the katahedral (lower at the wing tips) arrangement of the wings) about to fly overhead. Cody has both his hands in the air and off 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 times be very

Orville Wright pilots an early aeroplane. 1905

Orville Wright 1871-1948 flying on October 4 1905 at Huffman Prairie Dayton Ohio. LC-DIG-ppprs-00658

The flight of Barberan and Collar, a milestone in the history of Aviation. June 10, 1933. The story of tablada He wrote one of his most notable pages with the mythical flight of the ill-fated Barberan and collar aboard the "four winds" between Seville and Cuba. In the Image, the device shortly before Takeoff - Approximate date.

Skiopticone image with motifs of flying machine. R. Gransjean.

Starting aeroplane airplane motor

Side view of a Nieuport aircraft at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, VA. This photograph was taken on June 18, 1917. It is identified by the subject number 3295A and was received from c.0. The caption notes that it was taken at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton.

A crowd stands at military aircraft 6 with floats, on the ice, winter time. A crowd is at military aircraft 6 with floats, on ice, winter time.

Aerial view of Wilbur Wright Aviation Field in Fairfield, Ohio during World War I. The field is seen with a fleet of J-N4 airplanes lined up in formation. The photograph was taken on June 4, 1918 and was received from the commanding officer at Wilbur Wright Field on July 11, 1918. It is marked for official use only.

Kuma class cruiser taking...

Heinkel HD55 flying boat, 1932. Creator: Unknown.

Curtiss JN-4 'Jenny' Aircraft with Model Wing

Departure of the delegation of Governor A.H. Neijs after the visit to the Leprozerie Pelantoengan, 1931 photograph Departure of the delegation of Governor A.H. Neijs after the visit to the Semarang leprosy in PelantoenGan in May 1931. The members of the delegation on board the aircraft of the Royal Dutch-Indian Aviation Company. Loose photo in the folder with reminder photos of the visit offered to Governor A.H. Neijs. Semarang photographic support Pelatoengan

Hampton, Virginia, Seaplane photographed during World War One. The image shows a Type I seaplane at the Hampton location. The identification number is 111-SC-3359. The photograph was taken by an unidentified photographer. The description simply states "Type of seaplane" with no further details provided.

The image depicts a De Haviland pusher plane used during World War One. The photograph was taken on January 10, 1918, at Langley Field in Hampton, VA. It was later released by the Signal Corps on February 21, 1918. The plane is marked with the serial number 43 5116.

Frank Stanton

Samuel Franklin Cody 1867 to 1913 American pioneer of manned flight From the book The Year 1912 illustrated published London 1913

Aviation-Qantas Airways-Aircraft-1930's (See also: Aviation-Qantas-Aircraft - DH-86). December 19, 1934.

Caption: German "Fokker" airplane, specifically the D-V model, captured during World War One. This image was taken for identification and analysis purposes. It was received from the French Pictorial Service and approved by the M.I.D. censor (date unknown). For official use only.

HIDROAVION LLAMADO ZAPATONES.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Bleriot monoplane on the ground with a large crowd of people looking at the aircraft.

A side view of a Caproni Biplane taken at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, VA. This photograph was taken by photographer 1-15-19. The number 53452 is assigned for official use only.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War DERA FARNBOROUGH (ROYAL AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHMENT). The gondola of the naval airship Parseval just off the ground with a small group of navy handlers. Aircraft sheds or hangars can be seen in the background.

Image shows the aftermath of a fire that damaged a British S.E.5 pursuit machine. The photograph was taken by Lt. E.M. deBerri on April 19, 1918. The damaged machine can be seen in Potomac Park, Washington D.C. The image is not for publication. Reference number: 111-SC-8307.

Eshault-Pelterie aeroplane, in flight

Roßwein. Airplane (single-engine biplane) after emergency landing on a field. Recording with Lieutenant Giese (probably left next to the propeller)

05/27/1911. The first device of the aviator Vedrines after the Fall when leaving Issy-Less-Moulineaux, due to which mishap he had to replace it with the one he made the race.

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

Illustration depicting a passenger biplane. Dated 20th Century

Vliegboot Dornier Wal, Anonymous, c. 1925 - c. 1935 photograph Netherlands photographic support gelatin silver print aircraft, aeroplane

Lefebvre at Reims

Paris. 09/02/1913. The aviator Pegoud, who made the marvelous flights of the inverted airplane in Buc (Paris).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Paulhan biplane on the ground, the airship shed can be seen in the background.

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Supermarine Stranraer. Stranraer Mark I, K7295 BN-L, of No. 240 Squadron RAF based at Stranraer, Ayrshire, in flight.

Delagrance and his aeroplane

Imperial Airways' first winter sports service, flying from Croydon to Bale, Switzerland. Women with their ski equipment stand by ready to board the plane. Date: 15th Dec 1928

Joseph Pennell, The Big Bug, 1916 The Big Bug

M. Van den Born flying above the sea. A ship is on the horizon.

Trimotor Southern Cross, the aircraft used for flying over the Pacific Ocean for the first time, on its way back from the first East-West trans-Atlantic flight from Ireland to United States, performs evolutions before landing at Roosevelt Field airport, Mineola, New York, United States, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, year LVII, n 28, July 13, 1930.

Bi-plane gelatin silver negatives, black-and-white negatives

The first powered flight, December 17 1903, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Wilbur and Orville Wright. Photograph Acknowledgement must be made to The Smithsonian Institution

Vintage Photograph. Small plane in flight at Zahn's Airport. Frame 2.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Aircraft, SINGLE,CURTISS War

04/29/1931. Inauguration of the Barajas airport.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Close up of the gondola of Nulli Secundus I with Cody aboard and ground handlers holding on to it. Note the Union Jack hanging from the rear of the gondola. Cody was responsible for the design of the nacelle and spar frame that attached the nacelle to the airship envelope and kept the latter rigid. The construction of the frame from hickory, spruce and bamboo followed similar lines to the methods used for his kites and gliders. It was in this airship that Cody and Colonel Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot made their record breaking flight from Farnborough to London. The journey of 40 miles took three hours twenty five minutes and included circling St Paul's Cathedral. It finished at the cycle stadium next to Crystal Palace. At the time this was a world record for a non-rigid airship. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing him as instructor. After this their relatio

A damaged plane, belonging to Symbol A Love Field in Dallas, Texas, is shown in this photograph. The forced landing resulted in damage to the propeller, lower wings, right wheel, two wing skids, and motor. The pilot, Lieut. J.P. Maloney was involved. This image is categorized as "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY".

Arbre in Biplane at Reims

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A de Havilland biplane coming in to land.

Fighter plane Ascent of a fighter plane; Koledzyani near Narajow, Galicia; photographer: Korps Hofmann.

Reconnaissance At Sea -- First of a batch of the new Fairey Seafox seaplanes (Napier Rapier 370 h.p. engine) specially designed for work with the Royal Navy. It is intended for catapult launching from the decks of warships and its armament is planned for effective attack on deck crews. August 12, 1937.

An Italian triplane bomber Caproni Ca 33 in an airfield, World War I, Italy, 20th century.

Side rear view of a Pomilio airplane at the Aviation Experiment Station, Langley Field in Hampton, Virginia. This photograph, labeled as 111-SC-3444, was taken by a Signal Corps photographer for documentation and research purposes during World War I.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view of the Cody aircraft mark II outside the shed on Laffan's Plain with a number of onlookers. 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 Cod

Henri Farman (1874-1958), French aviator and aircraft constructor. Farman's biplane No 1. From a photograph

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War De Havilland aircraft in flight in the middle distance.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The car of the Lebaudy Airship with a large group of army handlers assisting with its landing.

Fotocollectie Eerste Wereldoorlog. The premier at the front. Mr. Asquith inspecting a plane that just has returned from a flight. It has many bullet holes. 1914-1918}

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A rear view of an SE 1 aircraft on the ground.

This Plane Will Take Off And Land On Its Tail. - The Plane is moved up to its vertical take off position...This Fantastic New fighter plane, able to take off and land vertically, was Announced recently by the U.S. Navy.Powered by twin Jet Turbines harnessed to contr-Rotating propellers, the XFV-I can take off vertically from a standing start on its tail, level off to fly and fight at very high speeds, and hover stationary in the air and descend for landing on its tail.The plane uses its four-point, X-shaped tail for a landing gear.A specially designed ground handling cart lifts the plane into its vertical take-off position and Also provides the ladder for the the Pilot to Climb up into the cockpit. March 19, 1954. (Photo by Paul Popper, Paul Popper Ltd.).

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Bristol B.R.7

Central Charlton, New Zealand, by Muir & Moodie.

Clement's model for flying machine

Klemm L25 VIIb plane, 1932. Creator: Unknown.

British Arctic Air Route Expedition: Moth Aeroplane taking off on floats in summer, on the fjord near the Base. December 28, 1931. (Photo by British Arctic Air Route Expedition Photograph).

Curtiss flight Albany to New York

A Short S.14 Sarafand Flying Boat, considered Britain's largest flying boat in 1932. From The Pageant of the Century, published 1934.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The gondola of the army airship Gamma I.

Three quarters rear view of a seaplane at Langley Field, Hampton, VA. The seaplane is a Standard H-4-H model with a Hall Scott 125 HP engine. The photograph is part of a larger collection taken for reconnaissance purposes to document different types of seaplanes during World War One.

Millman starting

Elsevier photo collection. German passenger plane wings folded down. 1920. Germany

Elsevier photo collection. Prince Hendrik (standing water plane) makes trip Amsterdam. April 1921. Amsterdam

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IB nose first into the ground with several army onlookers, the factory buildings can be seen in the background. Cody escaped from this crash unhurt apart from a cut on his face. It was caused by the front elevator and rudder spars snapping due to excessive force being placed on them when Cody attempted to make a turn in the aircraft. This version of the mark IB does not have the additional elevators fitted next to the main central elevator instead balancing planes have been added between the wings on the rear outer struts. It is still fitted with the rear undercarriage wheel as opposed to the skid used in later marks. Particularly with his earlier aircraft Cody made constant adjustments to the arrangement of the flying surfaces, often after crashes, in order to obtain better performance and handling. These changes mean that identifying specific sub-marks of Cody aircraft can at times be very difficult, it should also be

London-Manchester Air Race: Mr Jack Alcock and his Maurice Farman biplane, 1914 (1934). Artist: Flight Photo.

Portrait in front of aircraft, old ore Two men portrait in front of aircraft albatros, winter time.

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,GLIDERS War

Meckler-Allen Aeroplane

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

A seaplane is lowered at the seaplane base at Cagliari Field, Sardinia. October 1944.

Essonne, La Ferte Alais Airshow 2012. Bleriot 11

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