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Vintage Aircraft and Aviation History

Early 20th century airplanes and aviators showcasing vintage aviation and iconic moments in flight history.

WW1 - Winston Churchill with three officers inspecting an aeroplane in Hendon, UK. Date: 1915

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Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IIE (Omnibus - so named because of its passenger carrying capabilities), taxiing on Laffan's Plain. 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 solved this problem. With the Austro-Daimler engine fitted (January 1912

The picture shows a Fokker Dr.In hunting aircraft drawn to the starting point with heel of a horse.Original text: "Fokker-three decker with rotational engine, the newest German combat air machine type, transported to the starting point.".The picture shows a Fokker Dr.In hunting aircraft drawn to the starting point with hälp of a horse.Original text: "Fokker-three decker with rotation engine, the newest German combat flying machine type, transported to the starting point.

Elsevier photo collection. arrival Holland-India Vliors Amsterdam. H-NADP a Fokker F.VIIA KLM flight Dutch soil again. July 1927. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Geo. H. Dyott

'Spirit of St. Louis', the plane in which Charles Lindbergh made a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, flies a short distance above the ground. location unknown , circa 1927

American aviator Harriet Quimby (1875-1912) in the cockpit of her plane. She was the first woman awarded a U.S. pilot's license. 1911.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War British Army Aircraft I following the crash on its first flight. A man can be seen in the distance looking at the crash. 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.

B 4 In the air, 1930s . aircraft B 4 marked number 33 belonging to F 4 Frösön in the air.

Hanriot monoplane

Bleriot-Latham monoplane, in flight

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War De Havilland aircraft number 2 in flight.

Skiopter icon with motifs of flying machine on the water.

This photograph shows a Red Cross Hospital Ship, Type R.4, at Kelly Field, Texas. The ship has a Curtiss-Remodeled cover over the stretcher. The photograph was taken on December 7, 1918, and it was issued with the number 102-228 by the American Military Activities during World War One.

The aviator Ferrarin aboard his Macchi 39, 1926

Pilot sitting in an aircraft, Pensacola, Florida, USA, 1915

Voisin biplane, 1910. From a photograph

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Wright Biplane owned by C S Rolls which he donated to the army. (Rolls was one half of the pair that owned the Rolls Royce motor company and was also the first British aviator to be killed in an air accident on July 6 1910 at an aero meeting in Bournemouth, the crash was witnessed by Cody who was a good friend of Rolls). Photograph identical to RAE-O 617 aprt from the lack of annotation.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An excellent view of Cody aircraft mark III being examined by Cody and Mr. Morton, outside the shed on Laffan's Plain. Cody built this aircraft for the Daily Mail Circuit of Britain race for which there was a £10,000 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 22nd July 1911 at Brookland's with pilots stopping off at places such as Hendon, Harrogate, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carli

Mr Morrison and his aeroplane on Hove Lawns, Brighton.

Military aviation in front of Albatros Biia, winter time motif: portrait. A military flyer with flying glasses face covered for the cold standing in front of airplane albatros biia with skis on an airfield, winter time. In the background, tenthangars are visible.

Historic photograph, early sea plane, around 1935

All Ready to hop off on his return flight to England. Mr. C.W. Scott just before leaving Mascot. Note the spare propeller and the word "Australia." with its query as to the future. May 30, 1931.

Rigged as a sailing-boat: a German submarine submerging, sails and all, to avoid a British seaplane's bomb. World War I. 1917

Two men in an airplane. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

Bleriot's plane that flew across the English Channel in 1909.

At the airfield rise of the apparatus in Kragla.

Stralsund. Port. Four-engine seaplane "Pottwal" of Lufthansa. View from the front over the water

This photograph shows an Italian S.I.A. plane at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, Virginia during World War One. The exact date of the photograph is not specified. The S.I.A. plane was part of the experimental activities conducted at the station.

"Photograph of an all steel airplane, known as the Murray-Carns, at the Acceptance Field in Detroit, Michigan. The picture was taken in June 1918 during World War I."

This photograph (111-SC-3287) depicts a 3/4 front view of a Voisin aeroplane at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, Virginia. The photo was taken on May 18, 1917, and is part of the collection received from the Commanding Officer of the Aviation Experiment Station.

Young woman standing on the wing of an airplane (EV007045_H)

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An FE 2 pusher biplane fitted with floats instead of a conventional undercarriage, taking off from a lake. The photograph is rather grainy.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of the undercarriage of an SE 1 aircraft.

The photograph shows a Lepere Liberty battle plane being manufactured by the Packard Motor Car Co. in Detroit, Michigan, for the War Department. The number on the photograph is 26906, and it is labeled for official use only. The photograph was taken on September 17/18.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Maurice Farman biplane on the ground with a small group of handlers and mechanics.

Aircraft and Balloons Used by Some of the Air Pioneers Who Were Contemporary With Samuel Franklin Cody. A radio controlled target aircraft in a hangar, an aircraft fuselage without its wings is in the background.more information

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. Aviator poses at Piper L-4J Cub Grashhopper see photo. 5895 and 5902. 1946. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Anefo photo collection. walks railways bicycle. February 2, 1953

British hydroplane returning to mother ship after patrol duty over Saloniki. In the background are the city of Saloniki and warships of the allies. The time period is World War I, but no later than 1916.

The pilot Fernando Flores Solis, landing in Tablada. 1924.

Man filling up an aircraft

Sea airplane of junker type on water in mountain environment. A man on sea airplane of Junkers type on water in mountain environment. A man on the plane and a man in a rowing boat under.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II in flight during the Michelin Trophy trials with a group of spectators with dog and bicycle stood below by a flag. The aircraft is blurred due to its movement. 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

Type 95 - Reconnaissance Float-plane (Naval Air Service)Span 36'-1", Length 27'-11", Height 13'-1". December 29, 1941.

A Caproni Triplane used for bombing - Italian Warplane - WWI

London-Paris Air Race: the winner, Mr WL Brock, the American racing pilot, 1914, (1934). Artist: Flight Photo.

Andre Beaumont, pseudonym of Jean Louis Conneau (1880-1937), French aviator, on his seaplane, photograph from the magazine L'Illustration, year 70, no 3623, August 3, 1912.

The Great Australian Flight -- A picture of the seaplane Wing-Commander Goble and Flight-Lieutenant McIntyre on their way around the continent.First flight around Aust. 8500 miles in 90 flying hours. S.J. Goble. April 1, 1924.

Madrid, 2/17/1912. The English pilot Busteed, accompanied by Captain Kindelán, when taking off from the Cuatro Vientos airfield to attempt the Madrid-Guadalajara "record".

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Medium close up of the cockpit and undercarriage of the SE 1.

Aircraft Heinkel HD 14 is towed on water at test flying aircraft Heinkel HD 14 is towed on water at test flight.

Harriet Quimby 1875-1912 in the Moisant monoplane in which she learned to fly. In 1911 she became the first woman to gain a pilot's license in the United States and was the first woman to fly across the English Channel April 16 1912. She died in a flying accident in July 1912. LC-USZ62-15070

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark IIE (Omnibus - so named because of its passenger carrying capabilities) on the ground with a small number of onlookers. Cody is bent down inspecting the undercarriage with his back to the camera. The ground looks very wet with several puddles visible. Mr Wackett, a seventy year old assistant of Cody who like several other friends and family was a constant support for him, can be seen holding the starboard wing tip wheel. 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 a

Doing The Bare 240 miles an hour - Capt. Hawks testing his machine for his attempt to shatter the record from New York to Los Angeles. August 19, 1930. (Photo by International News Photos Inc.).

This image shows various airplane types at the Aviation Experiment Station in Hampton, Virginia during World War One. The airplanes are numbered 3433 and belong to the Signal Corps. The photographer documented the scene and the image is dated as being taken in the year 1916.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II in flight over the balloon shed watched by one observer in the foreground. 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 t

A plane taking off, c1914-c1918. Artist: Unknown.

Collection Dutch Heidematschappij. Motor water plant mower. undated

Front view of an S.V.A aircraft at the Aviation Experiment Station, Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia. This photo was taken in November 1917 by the Signal Corps. The image is numbered 1292 and labeled as H-238 in the notes.

Image of airplane wrecks at Love Field, Texas during World War I. The photograph was taken by an Air Servic photographer as indicated by the H symbol. This image is cataloged as number 28961 and was received by the photographer.

Carpenter Pale Mellblom in the driver's sitting on an airplane, 1910s motif: Carpenter Palle Mellblom sits in the driver's sitting on an airplane in front of Enoch Thulin flight school in Ljungbyhed, 1915-1916.

An elephant pulling a Supermarine Walrus aircraft into position at a Fleet Air Arm station in India, June 1944. An elephant pulling a Supermarine Walrus aircraft into position at a Fleet Air Arm station.

This photograph shows a plane wreck at Mills Point in Love Field, Dallas, Texas during World War One. The wreckage has suffered damage to the center of its wings and landing gear. The pilot, Cadet Bispinghoff, was involved in the incident. This image was taken by a D.M.A. photographer in 1918.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain (1886-1941) on Wilbur Wright's aeroplane in Pau, France, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXVI, No 9, February 28, 1909.

James Frederick Cane and three others standing next to plane, circa 1930, New Zealand, maker unknown. Gift of the family of Captain James F Cane, 2015.

French monoplane, Biskra, Algeria, c1911. Artist: Unknown

Stephen Appleby, who flew over the English channel in 35 minutes with home-built "flea". The picture is taken before the start in December 1935.

Aerial view of the Jonah H, a visiting plane at the Air Service Flying School in Rich Field, Waco, Texas. The plane has broken five propellers and remains grounded in a soft field. Photograph taken on January 22, 1919. This image is marked for official use only.

German Aircraft Junkers K 16 at Ilug, 1923 Motivation: German Aircraft Junkers K 16 Civil Register D295 at International Aviation Exhibition Ilug in Gothenburg, 1923. Belongs to Old Malmen Collection. GM 981. Out of Air Force Museum's image archive.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Aircraft, TAKE-OFF,VULTEE War

Close up of seaplane rear at Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia. Photo taken by the photographer RECO, with the description stating it was taken and issued at Langley Field. The photo is labelled as 3371” and has the symbol AU H” with additional notes marked as "H 194".

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

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Cody aircraft mark II in flight during the Michelin Trophy trials. Note the flag markers on the ground. 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

68 Pvt. D. W. Kelly of the S.C. is photographed here on Oct. 24, 1918. He is standing in front of a Liberty DH4 plane, which is entirely American made and has a speed of 128 M.P.H. The plane is piloted by 2nd Ldeut. E. P. Dugger and observed by 2nd Lieut. D. K. Trotter. The photo was taken at Ford Junction Aerodrome in Sussex, England. The image is passed by the A.E.P censor, but the date is not provided.

LeBlanc's "Bleriot"

Historical Waterfowl Survey. Creator: Ekedahal, Vernon. Descriptive Note: Rice sowing plane over Sacremento field. Subjects: Historical; Waterfowl Survey; Aircraft; Aircraft; Aircraft; California; Heavy Equipment; Sacramento NWR. . 1998 - 2011.

Detail of home-built flying machine at Meister's airport company 1927-1928. Test flight in Torsland August 30, 1928.

Indian Newspaper Editors in a twin-engine Handley Page bomber, Hendon Aerodrome, October, 1918.

Bunny Inlet in Wales - America Earhart gazing out of the cabin of the 'Friendship.'

Seaplane. 1920-1930.

Orville and Wilbur Wright test unpowered gliders against the wind at Kitty Hawk. The first powered flight was achieved there on 17th December 1903 December 1903

Man admiring plane (EV004139_H)

Charles A. Lindbergh with his Plane Spirit of St. Louis, Gosport, May 27th 1927 1927

Transatlantic Flyer

Roosevelt Field, New York: May 20, 1927 Captain Charles Lindbergh with his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, just before he departed on his record setting non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean from Long Island, New York to Paris.

Vol de Wilbur Wright accompli à Pau, en janvier 1909, avec son élève Paul Tissandier.. La Vaulx, Henry de, 1870-1930. Manuscripts, Portraits, Drawings, Prints. 1922. Science, Industry and Business Library: General Collection. Carriages & coaches, Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912, Biplanes, Tissandier, Paul, b. 1881, Pau (France)

Caption: "An airplane damaged during a forced landing at Love Field, Dallas, Texas, on June 22, 1918. The photo was taken by a DMA photographer. Image number: 111-SC-28931. Note: This image is for official use only."

"The photograph shows a three-quarter front view of a Thomas-Morse MB-2 type aeroplane. The aeroplane is a two-seater fighting machine, fitted with a 430 H.P., 12-cylinder geared Liberty engine. It has a wing spread of 31 ft. and an overall length of 24 ft. This particular aeroplane was manufactured by the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corp'n in Ithaca, NY."

Leipzig. joseph sablatnig. flight world record. 1911.

10/12/1922. Getafe. An official visit. The Undersecretary of Public Works, Director of Communications, Mr. Estrada (1), accompanied by the head of the At Your Order service, the engineer Mr. Peñas (2), during his visit to the aerodrome.

Wilbur Wright et Les Debuts de L'Aviation. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Description: British Guiana. An "Ireland" flying boat of British Guiana airways. Location: Guyana Date: 1944 guyana, caribbeanthroughalens

Photograph captured damaged left wing of an airplane resulting from an unfortunate landing caused by a motor cutout. This image was taken in March 1919 by photographer 54013, under the directive of the Military Aeronautics Director. Strictly meant for official use only.

Katherine Stinson with her biplane

Artwork: "Wilbur Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, 1923". Artist: John McCoy. US Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown

Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. A Gloster Gladiator of No. 521 Squadron RAF takes off over a four-door saloon car at Bircham Newton, Norfolk.

the 14th Sept. 1933 when the remains of King Feisal of Iraq were brought to Haifa from Europe to be flown into Baghdad 1933

Mr Lester Brain. September 04, 1929

Aircraft, Burma, India &Aircraft, TAKE-OFF,VULTEE War

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