Historical Aircraft in Flight

Vintage photographs of various aircraft, including commercial transports and military bombers, captured mid-flight against dramatic skies.

Vintage Photograph. US Air Force Snark Missile in flight.

Military Airplane Flying over Battleships

Tricycle Light 'Plane -- The new General Aircraft Cygnet two-seat cabin monoplane (de Havilland Gipsy Major 130 h.p. engine) produced for primary pilotage instruction and air touring. It is the only light aeroplane of "stressed skin" all-metal construction in the world. Note the wing flaps, shown down to facilitate landing, and the twin rudder, which is claimed to give exceptional stability in flight. August 31, 1939. (Photo by Flight Photo).

Vintage photograph. Low angle view of a Boeing 707 Jet transport

Britain To Go Over To All-Jet Aircraft - Experiments With DH 108. The new DH 108 jet-propelled single-seater research plane in flight over Hatfield airfield: Mr. Geoffrey de Havilland, the designer, is the pilot. Britain, already ahead of other countries in the development of jet propulsion motors, is on the threshold of a new era in civil aviation. All now British planes, both military and civil, are to befitted with pure-jet or gas-turbine engines driving propellers, which represents a big sto

Vintage photograph. U.S. Air Force North American B-46 Tornado seen in flight.

AN air-to-air right side view of a C-141B Starlifter aircraft. Base: Southern State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SN-90-01185. State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Vintage Photograph. Jet in flight with exhaust fumes.

DN-SN-89-01243. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

(Englad) AIRPLANES

Wewak Airdrome, Northeast...

North American F-100 C airplane used in sonic boom investigation at Wallops, October 7, 1958. Photograph published in: A New Dimension Wallops Island Flight Test Range: The First Fifteen Years by Joseph Shortal. A NASA publication. Page 672. -- Aircraft number: NACA 42024. Side view, 3/4 view from front, 3/4 view from rear, rear view, and two front views.

A Boeing B-29 'American Beauty' In Flight, 1945

Anefo photo collection. Starfighter made abdominal landing at Schiphol by defective landing gear. 7 June 1963. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Boeing jet transport which can also can be used for commercial transport, viewed from above while in flight. proto type N70700

Anefo photo collection. At Schiphol no longer smooth runways, a DC-8 uses the job again. January 9, 1963

DN-SN-88-06710. Base: Naval Air Station, Keflavik Country: Iceland (ISL)

A close-up view of a KC-10A Extender aircraft's high-speed refueling boom during the rollout ceremony. Base: Mcdonnell-Douglas Plant State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Another Kind Of Airlift -- A Sikorsky "Eoverfly" in flight, with a stretcher case attached to its side, during the demonstration to-day. WAAFS are assisting. A casualty evacuation demonstration which took place at the RAF station at Brize Norton, Oxford, today, showed how various modern aircraft are used today in the evacuation of casualties. Most unusual feature was the lifting of "wounded" on external stretchers fitted to helicopters. January 20, 1949. (Photo by Fox Photos).

Hotshot Takeoff -- An Air Force jet fighter zooms into the air like a guided missile as it blasts off a newly-developed zero-length launcher in tests at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The plane, described as the first piloted craft to use the mobile launcher developed by Martin Aircraft, first revs its jet engines up to full takeoff power and then shoots upward with the additional aid of the booster bottle visible under the fuselage near the tail. The platform, mounted on a truck for mobili

U.S. Navy's new 70 ton flying boat "Mars" world's largest seaplane in test flight. A four motored plane with 200 wingspread it can fly from U.S to an Europe and back nonstop. July 10, 1942. (Photo by Evening Newspapers).

F-86E (AF 50-580). Gunsight Tracking and Guidance and Control Displays. Note Used in publication in Flight Research at Ames; 57 Years of Development and Validation of Aeronautical Technology NASA SP-1998-3300 fig 78

1977 Cessna C150 C 150 Omnivision slant tail flying.

Military airplane in flight

Arrival - from the United States - at the terminal of the United States Lines from Avengers in the port of Rotterdam. Part of object series AVDKM 530117 to 530121.

A new Navy twin jet fighter designed for carrier operation, the Chance Vought XF7U-1, has successfully completed its initial flight testing at the Naval Air Test center.A jet flying wing. New US Navy swept-back wing fighter, the Chance Vought XF7U-1, which us designed for shipboard operation, has successfully completed its initial flight test. The XF7U-1 is tail-less and totally unlike any other service plane so far revealed. Incorporation of the sweep-back of the wings, known to be desirable in high-speed machines, together with a twin engine installation, makes this formidable Navy fighter potentially capable of speeds in excess of current models of operational jets, land or carrier-based. It is rated in the"over 600-mile-an-hour class." November 25, 1948.

North American F-100A NASA-200 Super Sabre airplane - wing leading edge deflected 60 degrees for increased lift with boundary=layer control; takeoff preformance was improved 10% (mar 1960)

DN-SN-89-01517. Country: Unknown

FRENCH INDO CHINA-Feeling right proud of itself a Consolidated B-24 Liberator comes away from a pretty job on the Dai Giang River Bridge, a vital link in the Japanese rail line of communications from Saigon to northeast French Indo China.

Chesapeake Bay, United States September 7, 1953A U.S. Navy seaplane, a Martin P5M-2 Marlin, taxis for takeoff from Chesapeake Bay.

Airplane in flight above Hendon, London, 1935, England, by Eric Lee-Johnson.

Airplane in flight

Anefo photo collection. Types of the KLM Super Constellation Hugo de Groot. August 14, 1958

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Avro 683 Lancaster. Lancaster B Mark III, LM449 PG-H, of No. 619 Squadron RAF based at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, in flight.

Guba. June 6, 1939.;Guba.

DN-SN-89-09158. Base: Unknown

Group of North American Aviation F-100 Sabrejets on airfield

A left side view of a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Base: USS America (CV 66)

The D.H. 108 Experimental Aircraft -- The De Havilland D.H. 108 in flight.The first tailless Jet with craft swept-back wings to fly successfully.The first photograph of the De Havilland single-seater fighter, D.H. 108 in flight. It is the only tailless Jet-Propelled Aircraft with fully swept-back wings that has taken the air. The wing design in entended to give higher speed and 675 M.P.H. or more is expected. The goblin engine develops 12,000 H.P. June 1, 1946. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency Limited).

ON THE RIGHT BEARINGS-These...

This photos dates to the 1920s. Its caption reads: Refueling the Question Mark in Mid-Air. This process was repeated thirty-seven times during the remarkable endurance flight of the tri-motored Question Mark (the lower plane), which remained in the air 150 hours, breaking all records for sustained flight for aircraft, in January, 1929.

An S-3A Viking aircraft is prepared for launch from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69). Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A right underside view of a French Mirage 5 aircraft. Country: Unknown

X-1A on Rogers Dry Lake

A air-to-air right side view of a Soviet Tu-142 Bear F aircraft. Country: Unknown

London-New York By 'Delta' -- An artist's impression of the Avro Atlantic, the revolutionary new delta-wing airliner which promises for Britain continued technical leadership in civil aviation. It makes possible within a few years non-stop transatlantic passenger flights between London and New York in under seven hours in the westerly direction and under 5½ hours eastbound. The Atlantic, powered by four turbo-jet engines is a civil version of Avro's famous bomber, the Vulcan. The new liner, 145

Over the mountains of western China, a Curtiss C-46 Commando approaches its destination on a route flown by the India China Div., ATC. In January, 1945, this division put more than 44,000 tons of freight into old Cathay by air.

Hr.Ms fly camp vessel. Karel Doorman (2) (1948-1968), American Grumman Twin Sentinels A / B during Journey of Smaleel 5, consisting of Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman, Gelderland, Amsterdam and Sea Lion, to Lounyport, Key West, Tampa, Netherlands Antilles, Guantanamo and Bermuda

Pensacola, Florida, May 13, 1955An SNJ in flight over NAAS Corry Field.

A restored Boeing 367-80 aircraft departs from base en route to Boeing Aerospace Corporation's Seattle-based headquarters, where it will be featured during their 75th anniversary in July 1991. The Dash-80, as it is nicknamed, is the prototype for both the Boeing 707 aircraft and, prior to restoration, was in storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center for 17 years. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Navy North American PBJ-1D Mitchell (BuNo 35094) in flight near the Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland USA, on 28 February 1944

United States: August, 1968. A Cessna 188 AGwagon A in flight as it does a low altitude aerial crop dusting operation.

Helicopters Are Here To Stay: The R.A.F.'s "Go Any Way" Service -- A formation of R.A.F helicopters in flight Andrews Planet Apr. 23 1945 PN Censor Nos.Rising vertically from the ground or rooftop, flying backwards, forwards or sideways, and hovering to drop or pick up passengers, the Sikorsky R4B helicopter, now contributing to the development of an R.A.F. helicopter service, has shown that these aircraft, with till notable advantages for special purposes, will play en important part in Britain's aerial activities after the war. These photographs were taken during training at an R.L.F. school,. end for the first time in history shore helicopters flying and hovering in formation. April 23, 1945.

Left rear view of the last TA-4F Skyhawk aircraft to be received at this Marine Corps Air Station. The A-4 is a "work horse" used by the infantry in many close air support missions. Base: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Vintage Photograph. Jet plane in flight.

An air-to-air right side view of a Soviet I1-14 Crate aircraft during the interception of an HC-130 Hercules aircraft involved in the search and rescue operations for the downed Korean Airlines 747 (KAL-007). KAL-007 was shot down by a Soviet aircraft when it was suspected of being a surveillance mission over Sakhalin Island. Country: Sea Of Japan

Another British air challenge: the Vickers Viking 27-seater airliner. Details of a medium transport aircraft designed to give Britain a lead in the field of civil aviation. 1945

Enola Gay Boeing B-29 on 6 August 1945, during the final stages of World War II, became the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb. The bomb, code-named 'Little Boy', was targeted at the city of Hiroshima, Japan

DN-ST-87-06375. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Boeing Bombers flying over Clouds.

An Argentine navy S-2E Tracker aircraft lands on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The aircraft is taking part in touch-and-go operations aboard the LINCOLN during the ship's circumnavigation of South America. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

An artistic representation of the Avro Arrow, a Canadian supersonic interceptor aircraft developed in the 1950s, showcasing its sleek design and advanced technology.

An air-sto-air right side view of the Soviet I1-20 Coot A aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: ' Country: Unknown

Artwork: "Untitled" Artist: R.E. Hogue. Country: Unknown

A left side view of a T-3A on the flight line. Base: Randolph Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

squadriglia di fiat 104-c, 1966

The Avro Jet Research Plane At The Farnborough Display -- The Avro 707 Delta wing research aircraft powered by Derwent (Rolls Royce) engines, seen at the Society of British Aircraft Constructors show, Farnborough. September 7, 1950. (Photo by Fox Photos).;The Avro Jet Research Plane At The Farnborough Display -- The Avro 707 Delta wing research aircraft powered by Derwent (Rolls Royce) engines, seen at the Society of British Aircraft Constructors show, Farnborough.

Vintage photograph. A US Navy Neptune flying over San Francisco

Hr.Ms fly camp vessel. Karel Doorman (2) (1948-1968), American Grumman Twin Sentinels A / B during Journey of Smaleel 5, consisting of Hr.Ms. Karel Doorman, Gelderland, Amsterdam and Sea Lion, to Lounyport, Key West, Tampa, Netherlands Antilles, Guantanamo and Bermuda

An air-to-air right side view of an Airborne Early Warning Squadron 127 (VAW-127) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft over southern California. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Cutaway diagram of a Junkers Ju-52 transport aircraft, with a 'cargo' of 18 troops, 1940. Date: 1940

Anefo photo collection. Exhibition: Europoort in RAI, Amsterdam; Overview. November 10, 1970. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

An air-to-air right side view of an air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). Country: Unknown

Anefo photo collection. Congratulations from Albert Heijn and Boldoot for Ajax D.M.V. An advertising plane. Advertising plane of Albert Heijn above the Leidseplein in Amsterdam. June 3, 1971. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

Tailless Chance Vought F7U Cutlass Jet.

Century Series Fighters Flying in Formation

HOWARD HUGHES. 1946.

Day and night, Curtiss C-46 Commandos ply the aerial supply line operated by the India-China Division, ATC, from India to China. They hit the ground, are unloaded in a hurry, and start back again for another load. It's not unusual to see

First man to break the sound barrier -- Chuck Yeager -- International guest of Shelleys Famous Drinks at the 1983 schofields air show. October 14, 1947.

X-3 Stiletto on Rogers Dry Lake

Anefo photo collection. unknown . Wind tunnel model jet hunter. September 21, 1961

Cape Canaveral, Florida April 20, 1959The U.S, Navy successfully launches another test vehicle in the Polaris missile program from the Atlantic Missile Range at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Polaris is scheduled to be ready for service aboard nuclear powered submarines in 1960.

Britain Beat's World Helicopter Speed Record -- A close-up of the Fairey prototype Gyrodyne on the airfield to-day. On the stub-wing can be seen the air screw that is responsible for most of the forward propulsion. A new world helicopter speed record was established today at White Waltham airfield, near Maidenhead, by Squadron Leader Basil Arkell, a rotor aircraft test pilot, in the fairey Aviation Company's prototype Gyrodyne. Over four runs his average speed was finally given as 124,3 miles per hour. The former world's official record is given as 76.7. m.p.h. made by a German F.W. 61 helicopter, although an unofficial record of 114.6 m.p.h. was set up by an American Sikorsky R5 military two-seater helicopter last year. June 28, 1948. (Photo by Fox Photos).

Far North's Most Modern Airport Opened -- The far north's most modern airport, the new £4,000,000 international airport at Anchorage, Alaska, was formally dedicated in a programme this month.The dedication also observed the golden anniversary of powered flight.An hour-long demonstration of military air power was staged by aircraft from nearby elmendorf air force base in a special programme arranged by the Alaskan air command.Highlighting the exhibition of military air power was this F-94B making a jet-assisted take-off. October 30, 1953. (Photo by Paul Popper).

Flying Display And Exhibit On Opens Today At Farnborugh Hants. The air striking force of the future. Delta wing aircraft manufactured by the A. V. Roe Company seen in flight over Farnborough. The leading Valcan is powered by Olympus Jet engines the second by Armstrong-Siddley Sapphire Jets, The four delta-wing research aircraft are A.V. Roe type 707 A. (two) 707 B, and 707 C. Large crowds today attended the 1955 flying Display and Exhilbition, showing the products of members of the Society of Br

Powerful Type -- Zooming through the skies is the delta-wing Boulton Paul P111A, which is being used for aerodynamic research at and near sonic speed.This is one of many aircraft, both civil and military, which are on view in the Farnborough Air Display opening tomorrow. September 7, 1953. (Photo by United Press Photo).

Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger, trainer of the 32 TFS, on the platform, at Soesterberg airbase. The two pilots step into the cockpit. The TF-102a is equipped with the text 'Bubbles' and two clogs on the nose.

The Supermarine 525 and Swift. The 525 is a new experimental Naval aircraft powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon engines and is a development of the Supermarine 508. The Swift is powered by one Rolls-Royce Avon engine and is now in production for the R.A.F. October 26, 1954. (Photo by Charles E. Brown).

The Sikorsky HSS-1N (SH-34J, UH-34J) Subdue boat control helicopter 142 (1960-1972) Leave its hoist.

Republic F-84F on the Ramp at Moffett Field

DF-SC-85-03781. Country: Unknown

Typhon, Signal Device on Ellok Littera D.

Vintage photograph. US Navy Martin Viking rocket, which reached a top speed of 4,100 miles per hour and a record breaking altitude of 135 miles. It weighed 5.5 tons and was 48 feet long.

New British Tail-Less Plane Undergoing Test Flights -- A first picture (air to air) ***** new British tail-less Delta type aircraft, the Boulton Paul P III which is undergoing flights at the Ministry of Supply's Aircraft and Armament Establishment (Experimental). It is designed and built by Boulton and Paul Aircraft Ltd. for the Ministry of Supply, and will be used for high speed aero dynamic research The P.III is a single seater, powered by a Rolls Royce None turbo jet engine and is of the tail

1950S Douglas Thor Air Force Missile Taking Off At Launch Pad In Cape Canaveral

The Agusta-Bell 204B (registration number 226) of the Royal Netherlands Marine flies above the landing site on 11 November 1965.

Vintage Photograph. A Martin Matador zooms from the launching platform.

S77-28144 (13 Sept 1977) --- The shuttle orbiter 101 "Enterprise" stirs up a cloud of desert sand and dust as it lands to conclude a five-minute, 28-second unpowered flight during the second free flight of the Shuttle Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) conduced on September 13, 1977 at the Dryden Flight Research Center in Southern California. The Orbiter 101 crew astronauts Joe H. Engle, commander, and Richard H. Truly, pilot. The ALT free flights are designed to verify orbiter subsonic airworthiness, integrated systems operations and pilot-guided approach and landing capability and satisfy prerequisites to automatic flight control and navigation mode. On the right a T-38 chase plane comes in for a landing, also. This picture was taken with an Air Force Test Center 70mm Hasselblad camera installed on a tracking mount parked on the lake bed.

U. S. Navy patrol bomber XPB2Y-1 , Bombers, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Colour photograph taken of the Convair XFY Pogo, an experimental turboprop powered tail-sitting fighter. Dated 20th Century

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