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Historic Aircraft Moments

A collection of vintage aircraft images, showcasing various models and incidents from the mid-20th century, featuring notable landings, crashes, and air shows.

Mission To Moscow Air Liner Crashes At Heath Row -- The crashed aircraft showing its nose in the Canal.Mr. Horald Wilson, Secretary for Overseas trade, was injured at London Airport, when the Air Liner, which had brought him back from Moscow on the conclusion of his talks there, crashed on loading.Members of the British trade delegation to Moscow had narrow escapes from death when their York airliner crashed on landing at Heath Row Airport, near London, last Saturday week. Mr. Harold Wilson, secretary for Overseas Trade and leader of the delegations, escaped with bruises. July 26, 1947. (Photo by Reuterphoto).
Mission To Moscow Air Liner Crashes At Heath Row -- The crashed aircraft showing its nose in the Canal.Mr. Horald Wilson, Secretary for Overseas trade, was injured at London Airport, when the Air Liner, which had brought him back from Moscow on the conclusion of his talks there, crashed on loading.Members of the British trade delegation to Moscow had narrow escapes from death when their York airliner crashed on landing at Heath Row Airport, near London, last Saturday week. Mr. Harold Wilson, secretary for Overseas Trade and leader of the delegations, escaped with bruises. July 26, 1947. (Photo by Reuterphoto).
301 assets in this story
Aircraft of the British Overseas Airways Corporation 1940-1945- De Havilland Dh.91 Albatross (frobisher). DH.91Albatross, G-AFDK “Fortuna”, of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, at Whitchurch, Hampshire. 'Fortuna' was written off in a crash at Rinneanna airfield, Clare, Eire, on 16 July 1943. The Albatross was called the Frobisher when in service with BOAC.Mission To Moscow Air Liner Crashes At Heath Row -- The crashed aircraft showing its nose in the Canal.Mr. Horald Wilson, Secretary for Overseas trade, was injured at London Airport, when the Air Liner, which had brought him back from Moscow on the conclusion of his talks there, crashed on loading.Members of the British trade delegation to Moscow had narrow escapes from death when their York airliner crashed on landing at Heath Row Airport, near London, last Saturday week. Mr. Harold Wilson, secretary for Overseas Trade and leader of the delegations, escaped with bruises. July 26, 1947. (Photo by Reuterphoto).First Superforts Land In Britain - For 'Temporary Duty'.The first Super-Fortress touches down at Scampton Airfield, Lincolnshire.The first of the American giants - four engined super-Fortresses - to be stationed for the next five weeks in Britain on 'temporary duty', landed at Scampton Airfield near here.Although the man-in-the-street has linked their arrival with the German crisis, official description of the visit said the movement was part of the normal long-range flight training programme'.The planes will later go to Germany. July 17, 1948.British Biggest Air Show -- A Lancastrian fitted with two Rolls Royce Merlin engines and two Rolls Royce gas turbine units. In a recent test this plane flew 100 m.p.h. faster on the two jet units alone than when operating on the four Merlin engines.Air experts from about 50 countries saw Britain's greatest air "trade show" at the Handley Page air-field at Radlett, Herts, to-day. Britain's latest civil and military planes were on show together with the products of nearly 200 British makers of aircraft components and accessories. The show has been organised by the Society of British Aircraft Constructors as part of the export drive. July 02, 1946. (Photo by Topical Press).Poll photo collection. Report Schiphol. Airplane on runway at Schiphol. 1933. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland"Shangri-La" Valley Rescue. A plane flying over the floor of "Shangri-La" Valley to drop supplies to the marooned party. December 21, 1949. (Photo by Netherlands Indies Government Information Service). Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. An Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mark V, N1386 'DY-P', of No. 102 Squadron RAF takes off on a leaflet-dropping ('Nickelling') sortie from Driffield, Yorkshire.Royal Air Force Transport Command, 1943-1945. Vickers Warwick C Mark IIIs of No. 525 Squadron RAF, parked on hard standing at Lyneham, Wiltshire.J 26 On an airfield motif: airplane J 26 on an airfield. Techniques next to the aircraft.RAF Bomber Command 1940 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk V N1385 DY-P of No. 102 Squadron taking off during a press day at Driffield, March 1940.545B - Consolidated Vultee L 13 & Consolidated Vultee. April 28, 1947. (Photo by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp.).Venturi attached to a Douglas C-47 for spraying DDT over bombed areas in Manila, P.I.Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. Lockheed Hudson Mark IIIs being loaded with bombs at Reykjavik, Iceland. The unit codes displayed on these aircraft ('HZ'), were not allotted to any RAF formation,and the serial number on the foremost aircraft, V9573, is spurious. It is possible that these aircraft may have belonged to No. 1407 (Meteorological) Flight.Aircraft Saab B 17 in the air Aircraft Saab B 17 in the air. View from the side.A Northrup P-61 Black Widow, night fighter taxis out for takeoff. P-61's are operating under 9th Air force Defense Command.Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Photos with the article 'Experiences in a Mustang coffin' in the magazine Werkbroeders. Aerial recording of a Mustang. October 20, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East IndiesArmy's Newest Attack Bomber -- The Vultee YA-19, all metal attack plane in its initial flight here prior to being delivered to the United States Army Air Corps. The low-winged monoplane is powered by a Pratt & Whitney "twin Wasp", 14 cylinder, radial cooled engine. It carries a crew of three, and attains a speed in excess of 230 miles an hour. It is designed to carry 800 pounds of bombs and six machine guns. April 4, 1939. (Photo by Wide World Photo).Aircraft - Catalina Flying Boat - Aviation. August 26, 1949.A Short Stirling Mark IV (LK115, '8S-Z') of No. 295 Squadron RAF, taking off from Harwell, Oxfordshire (UK), towing an Airspeed Horsa glider. This was one of 25 Stirling/Horsa combinations which carried the Headquarters of I Airborne Corps to landing zones near Groesbeek, Nijmegen.Poll photo collection. Berlin airport - Tempelhof. Fokker f.xx pH-aiz Herring gull at Berlin airport - Tempelhof. October 1934. Berlin, GermanyAnefo photo collection. Marvo repro. Attraction plane (with sick on board). May 12, 1949Operation 'market Garden' (the Battle For Arnhem)- 17 - 25 September 1944 Short Stirling Mark IV, LK115 '8S-Z', of No. 295 Squadron RAF, taking off from Harwell, Oxfordshire, towing an Airspeed Horsa glider. One of 25 Stirling/Horsa combinations which carried the Headquarters of I Airborne Corps to landing zones near Groesbeek, Nijmegen.Anefo photo collection. Frits diepen air taxi lands at Schiphol. July 24, 1946. Noord-Holland, SchipholAmerican Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service 1939-1945- Waco Model Cg-4 Hadrian. Hadrian Mark I, probably FR557, under tow at the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire.Photograph of Parked Military Airplane.Vintage photograph. US Air Force's Northrop Raider C-125 Arctic rescue transport in flight"Altair Star" a Qantas operated Catalina aircraft on the slipway at a Marine Air Base in Western Australia. August 14, 1944. (Photo by Qantas Emfire Airways Limited).Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Miles M.14 Magister. Magister, G-AFBS 1, of No. 8 Elementary Flying Training School based at Woodley, Berkshire, in flight. This aircraft was impressed from the civilian register and was subsequently given the Air Ministry serial number BB661.Mustang taxi along air strip prior to take off William Town R.A.A.F Sat. November 20, 1952.A Curtiss C-46 In Flight Near Kunming, China. 5 June 1945Anefo photo collection. Schiphol closed. December 28, 1946. Noord-Holland, SchipholRoyal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command Sunderland Mark I L2165 'B' of No. 210 Squadron in flight, 1939. In the distance a formation of three Saro Londons can be seen.British Overseas Airways Corporation and Qantas, 1940-1945. Boeing Model 314A 'Clipper', G-AGBZ 'Bristol' of BOAC, flying up Chesapeake Bay before alighting at Baltimore, USA.Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Handley Page Hp.54 Harrow and “sparrow”. Harrow Transport ambulance aircraft, K6984 ‘BJ-E’, of No. 271 Squadron RAF Detachment parked at Hendon, Middlesex. The type was also known unofficially as the “Sparrow”. To the right is a de Havilland Flamingo, and in the background a Douglas Dakota, both of No. 24 Squadron RAF.The Royal Navy during the Second World War Aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm: A Blackburn Skua two-seater fighter dive-bomber.Avro Lincoln. Artist: UnknownThe De Havilland Dove A De Havilland Dove about to take off during a display of British civil and military aircraft at Radlett airfield, Hertfordshire, 10 February 1946. The display was watched by United Nations Organisation delegates. Radlett airfield was originally operated by Handley Page. It closed in 1969.Paris International Air Show 1953. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel***** to go into service in the Fleet ***** Royal Navy is the Blackburn Skua two- seat ***** bomber, here displaying its Sturdy and ***** it makes a climbing turn above ***** details are still secret. Note ***** the Bristol Perseus air-cooled sleeve - ***** the turn-up tips of the wings, and the ***** undercarriage for enhanced speed. The ***** Carry, slung underneath the fuselage, a deadly ***** which is launched against enemy targets at the ***** targets at the ***** of a steep attack dive. It presents, in head-on view, a very feeble target for anti-aircraft fire. May 25, 1939. (Photo by Flight Photo).Heinkel He 219 Uhu at the parking lotSilver Wings.. Glistening in the sun, this silver Boeing B-17 Flying ofrtress, sits on the field to be let loose into the sky where it is proving its complete mastery. The silver ship minus paint weighs several hundred lbs less and has increasedArtwork: "C-7A Caribou, Sewart Air Force Base" Artist: George Guzzi. Country: UnknownVintage photograph. Pan American cargo clipper C - 46 leaving runway at MiamiSupermarine Spitfire of No. 603 Squadron taxiing out at Dyce in Scotland for another routine convoy patrol, 4 February 1942. Spitfire of No 603 Squadron taxiing out at Dyce for another routine convoy patrol, 4 February 1942.Anefo photo collection. Aircraft at Valkenburg. Mitchell bomber. September 17, 1948. Valkenburg (South Holland)Major Stapleton'S North American P-51 'Esie' Of The 364Th Fighter Group, 67Th Fighter Wing, Parked On The Strip At 8Th Air Force Station F-375, Honnington, England. 20 December 1944Royal Air Force Ferry Command, 1941-1943. Lockheed Hudson Mark IIIs lined up on hard-standing at Gander, Newfoundland, before their ferry flights to the United Kingdom. These aircraft were part of an order for 324 Hudsons placed in May 1940.Captured Japaneseanese "Zero" Parked Near The Runway At An Airfield Somewhere In China.Flying Display At Farborough - The Short Brothers and Harland, Ltd., Seamew aircraft seen prior to take off at Farborough, today. September 09, 1953. (Photo by Fox Photos).Poll photo collection. Schiphol. A Haviland Dragon Rapide for the Groningen flight service via Leeuwarden. July 1945. Noord-Holland, SchipholAircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Armstrong Whitworth Aw.38 Whitley. Whitley Mark III, K8994 E, of No. 10 Operational Training Unit, taxying at Abingdon, Berkshire.Aircraft of the Royal Air Force, 1939-1945- Vickers Wellington. Wellington DWI Mark II, HX682 ‘R’, of No. 1 General Reconnaissance Unit on the ground at Ismailiya, Egypt. This aircraft was converted from a Mark IC bomber and fitted with a 48-foot electromagnetic ring for exploding magnetic mines.An Auster Cub ambulance plane which is used to transport wounded from Maprik to But Airstrip where it is met by an ambulance which conveys the patients to the Casualty clearing Station. Maintenance crews reading from left to right" L.A.C. Galayzell, Frankston, Vic., L.A.C. L. Tummies of Horsham, Vic.; and L.A.C. D.J. Fuller of Laura, S.A. May 08, 1945. (Photo by Australian Official Photo).Vintage photograph. Air to air refueling of a USA fighter jet employing the British probe-drogue systemWoman standing on the propeller of an airplane waving (EV007174_H)Anefo photo collection. Reporting of boat trip with Karel Doorman. July 8, 1962"Prone Flying" Experiments In The R.A.F. -- The "prone position" Meteor in flight - a close-up from another aircraft. The pilot can be seen lying prone in the nose of the Meteor. A new "prone flying" Meter jet aircraft built to investigate the possibilities of flying the aircraft from the prone position, is now being used at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough under the direction of the R.A.F, Institute of Aviation Medicine. Among the problems being studied are the cutting down of thSNCASE Aircraft Factory (Armagnac). Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and PersonnelAirplane J 8 Gloster Gladiator . Airplane J 8 Gloster Gladiator marked 6 stands on ore airfield. View from the front.Boeing 247DRoyal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Handley Page Halifax B Mark III, PN167 'L8-C' 'Miquette', of No. 347 (Free French) Squadron RAF, parked in its dispersal at Elvington, Yorkshire.New Clipper Flys High - Pan-American's New Clipper, a veritable "Flying Hotel" capable of carrying 74 passengers, Ascended to an elevation of 10,000 feet on her first extended test flight from lake Washington at Seattle, Wash., Sept. 10. The ship, shown here as she was photographed from a United Airlines Mainliner, was reported to be carrying a gross weight of 77,500 pounds, the heaviest load ever carried by an American commercial plane. September 11, 1938. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).Britain's Latest Tailless Aircraft -- Details are just released of an unorthodox new tail-less aeroplane which has now made its firsts flight. Designed and built by Boulton Paul, of Wolverhampton, for the Ministry of Supply, is known us the P. III and will be used for high-speed aerodynamic research. It is powered by a Rolls Royce ***** engine, and is of the tail-less type ***** of "delta" plane form. Length is 28ft. lin., ***** and height over fin 12ft. 6½in. October 12, 1950.;Britain's Latest Artwork: "B-50D at Wright-Patterson AFB" Artist: Dick Kramer, USAF Art Collection. Country: UnknownRepairing a Hudson by R. Taylor Carson.Vampire Jet (Top), four Mustangs in formation, and three Mosquitoes on ground at RAAF Canberra for exercise. February 01, 1949. (Photo by Royal Australian Air Force Public Relations Photograph).Cirrus Hermes Hendy 302. - England. Cirrus - Engraved - the Australian dispend Hendy 302 which has been handled by Captain W. Percival of Sydney. January 14, 1931. (Photo by Cirrus Hermes).Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. A Northrop N3P-B of No. 330 (Norwegian) Squadron RAF, is taxied out on the water at Akureyri, Iceland, for a patrol. A mechanic stands on one of the floats to check the running of the engine.Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bomber Command Lancaster I, R5740/KM-O of No 44 Squadron, running up its engines at Waddington, 12 October 1942.Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Short S.25 Sunderland. Sunderland Mark III, EJ143 S, of No. 230 Squadron RAF Detachment, piloted by Flight Lieutenant A W Deller, taking off at Addu Atoll, Maldive Islands.An air-to-air right side view of a U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance and air-sampling aircraft. Country: UnknownNA 16 - Trainer Fighter. April 25, 1938.A Republic P-47G Thunderbolt is tested with a large blower on the hangar apron at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory in Cleveland, Ohio. The blower could produce air velocities up to 250 miles per hour. This was strong enough to simulate take-off power and eliminated the need to risk flights with untried engines. The Republic P-47G was loaned to the laboratory to test NACA modifications to the Wright R-2800 engines cooling system at higher altitudes. The ground-based tests, seen here, were used to map the engines normal operating parameters. The P-47G then underwent an extensive flight test program to study temperature distribution among the engines 18 cylinders and develop methods to improve that distribution.The wing of the Douglas C-47 "LADY HELEN" was damaged by fire when the wing was being washed down with gasoline on 30 April 1945 at Poltava, Airbase, a shuttle mission base in Russia.Sabre Trainer ... Newest jet trainer is this North American TF-86, two place version of the Korea-famed Air Force F-86 Sabre Jet. The swiftprototype trainer is basically an F-86F with tandem cockpit, dual controlsand a fuselage five feet longer than the fighter version. It has a speedof over 650 miles an hour, a maximum service ceiling of 45,000 feet and acombat radius of 600 miles. Provision has been made for installation oftwo 50 caliber machine guns for gunnery practice. It also has the famedNorth American "all flying tail" with artificial feel and irreversible control systems.January 05, 1954. (Photo by North American Aviation, Inc.).Tanking aircraft J 22 on airfield on F 3, CA 1948-1949 Tanking of aircraft J 22 on airfield on F 3 Östgöta fly fleet. Belongs to Sven Lindqvist's collection of photographs from conscripts at F 3 Östgöta Flight Fleet Ca, 1948-1949.Lockheed 12A sectional view of heated wingGis Look Over A German Junkers Piggy Back Plane At Bernberg, Germany.Photograph of Fireball Airplane - Clear.Paris International Air Show 1953. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and PersonnelAmerican Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service, 1939-1945- Fairchild 91. Fairchild 91, HK832 'M' of the Sea Rescue Flight, on an airfield in Egypt. This single-engined amphibian, formerly NC16690 on the US civil register, was purchased second-hand by the British Air Ambulance Corps, a New York-based charity, and delivered to the Middle East where it served with the SRF until sunk in a take-off accident near Benghazi on 17 May 1943.Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,WRECKS WarPoll photo collection. Report Schiphol. Junkers G 31 D-1770 Preuses from Lufthansa with a swastika on the tail at Schiphol. 1933. Noord-Holland, SchipholRoyal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. Handley Page Halifax Mark II Series1A, JD206 'DY-T' of No. 102 Squadron RAF, about to be towed from its dispersal by a David Brown tractor at Pocklington, Yorkshire. This aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 22 June 1943, and ditched off Overflakkee Island, Holland.Tunis, Tunisia-Axis planes...Kuma class cruiser taking...Duke of Gloucester's York Aircraft - The York aircraft.Picture taken in England before the take-off for Australian of the Duke of Gloucester's special York aircraft "Endeavors" which the new Governor-General will use for traveling about the commonwealth. April 17, 1945.Aviation 1067 - North American T28B. November 03, 1955.Sweden, Blekinge, Blekinge, Karlskrona, Karlskrona, external marina (depicted, town).Sweden, Blekinge, Blekinge, Karlskrona, Karlskrona, External War Gogs (depicted, City)'Feeding Berlin' - Air Lift To German Capital. - A British Army lorry backs up to a Dakota aircraft at Gatow Airport to be loaded with food supplies flown into the city from the British Zone of Germany. A continuous strear of transport planes are being used in an endeavour to 'break' down the food seige in the German captain. July 5, 1948.Exhibit 15. 1946-06-24T00:00:00. Central Plains Region (Kansas City, MO). Photographic Print.The Boeing B-17 "BEAUTIFUL BABY" takes off from Oujda, North Africa on 26 June 1943.A Yank In The ***** -- Fly ***** School at Grantham in flight in the "Harvard" training ***** aircraft recently arrived from the USA. It is announced ***** 400 machines of this type have been ordered follow ***** the recent visit of the Air Mission. They have a ***** speed of 190 mph at 11,000 ft. and are up-to-date ***** respects. March 6, 1939. (Photo by Central Press Photos Ltd.).;A Yank In The ***** -- Fly ***** School at Grantham in flight in the "Harvard" training ***** aircraft recently aThe Plane That Bombs London: Which Will Fly No More *****. ***** Airman in the position of the bomb a ***** the nose of a Heinkel III captured a ***** air raid on England. This monster plane, which looks like a giant sky shark, is the ***** visits London nightly and through the ***** under the fuselage, which can be seen ***** readiness, ***** fall indiscriminate ***** bombs on targets. October 3, 1940.Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Armstrong Whitworth Aw.38 Whitley. Whitley Mark V glider tug, BD661 25, of the Heavy Glider Conversion Unit coming in to land over a line of Airspeed Horsas at Brize Norton, OxfordshireMayo Aircraft. September 25, 1938.American Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service 1939-1945- Consolidated Model 32 Liberator. Liberator C Mark II, AL627, of BOAC, flying past the coast of Arran towards Prestwick, Ayrshire, after a flight across the North Atlantic,.Type 97 - KawanisiFour engine flying boat (Naval Air Service)Span 131'-0", Length 82'-0", Height 20'-7". December 31, 1941.An air-to-air left side view of a Soviet Il-38 May aircraft being escorted by a US Navy KA-6D Intruder aircraft. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Tjililitan airport at Batavia various activities. P-51 Mustang rises. February 1947. Batavia, Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Java, Dutch East Indies