Vintage Aircraft Illustrations

Artistic renderings of historical aircraft, showcasing various designs from different angles. The mood is nostalgic, featuring monochrome tones and intricate details.

Side profile of a fighter plane in flight, F-100C Super Sabre

Artwork: "Barksdale Buff" Artist: Dick Kramer. Country: Unknown

Pilot Can Take It Lying Down -- Pilot lying in the nose of this specially modified meter jet aircraft can take over control of the plane from the other pilot sitting in the conventional cockpit farther back. The plane has been modified by Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft for the Ministry of supply's research into the advantages and disadvantage of flying a plane from the prone position. Either of the pilots (who can be clearly seen in this new picture) can take over the controls at any time. June 29

A view of a parked Douglas A3D-1Q Skywarrior aircraft from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Four (VQ-4). Base: Rota Country: Spain (ESP)

Boeing B - 47 Strato jet

XC-99 142 - 142 A Cargo. April 18, 1955. (Photo by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp).

Artwork: "Dawn Loading on the Line" Artist: Lindsay Edwards. Country: Unknown

Prototype of The World's First Light Jet Fighter on View.A general view of the Midge on the runway at Chibolton Airfield today. It's principal dimensions are Span - 20ft. 8": Lenght - 28ft. 9ins: Height - 8ft. 3ins. Externally the "Midge" is identical with the "Gnat" except for the ailerons which are of the conventional type on the Midge, but are inboard and power-operated on the Gnat. A press day was held today as Chilbolton Airfiled (Hants) when the Folland "Midge", prototype of the "Gnat" the worlds first jet fighter, was put through a flight test programme. The Midge, powered by an Armstrong Siddelsy Viper Turbojet engine of 1,640 lbs. thrust, was built to test the basic design, pending delivery of the Gnat's standard engine the Bristol Orpheus. The Midge, which can fly at a speed in excess of 600 m.p.h will be seen at the forthcoming S.B.A.C.A. Air Display at Farnborough. August 27, 1954. (Photo by Fox Photos).

Graceful As A Bird -- The Miles Monarch, new two or three seat cabin monoplane for club, private or charter service, shows its thoroughbred lines as it wings its way above the clouds over Reading aerodrome. Gipsy Major 130 h.p. (131 c.v.) engine is installed giving top speed of 145 m.p.h. (233 km./h.). Maximum range is more than 900 miles (1.460 km.) Note the wide and unobstructed view obtained by pilot and passenger through the clear sweep of the forward windscreen. June 23, 1938.

Vintage photograph. Convair RB-36D Strategic Reconnaissance Bomber

DN-SN-88-07671. Country: Unknown

A ***** American Warplane - The ***** American Aviation Super Sabre, the F100G, which is ***** of carrying atomic bombs at supersonic speed, ***** just been delivered to the United States Tactical *****. It is powered by a Pratt and Waltney J57 ***** engine with afterburner rated in the 10,000 lb. ***** F100G is 47ft. Long, 15ft. high, and has a ***** wing with a span of 38 ft. August 01, 1955.

Air Display Today At Farnborough -- The 'Valiant', made by Vickers-Armstrong, Britain's latest bomber. It is understood that she will carry atom bombs. September 14, 1951. (Photo by Paul Popper Ltd.).;Air Display Today At Farnborough -- The 'Valiant', made by Vickers-Armstrong, Britain's latest bomber. It is understood that she will carry atom bombs.

An air-to-air right underside rear view of a Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat aircraft carrying four AA-6 Acrid missiles. Country: Unknown

Right side view of an EB-57B Canberra aircraft parked on the flight line. Base: Forbes Air Force Base State: Kansas (KS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left side view of an F-21A Kfir (young lion) aircraft. The Israeli-built, delta-wing tactical fighter aircraft is being used as part of the Navy's "aggressor" training. Country: Unknown

Tail-Less Terror -- Now American carrier-based jet fighter that will 'gun' for raiders at high altitude is the XF-4D, which has successfully passed its initial flight tests. The tell-less plane is actually a triangular shaped platform wing with a slim noss extending forward to provide a cockpit for the pilot it is designed to be catapulted from carrier decks and to climb rapidly for high altitude interception.First flight tests were held at the Edwards Air Force base in California, but performence details are secret. February 06, 1951. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

Behind The Javelin In the Farnborough Air Display opening here on Tuesday is the Javelin, a twin-jet, two-seat all-weather fighter, pictured in this back view. An impressive feature of the aircraft is the high tail unit. The public will be admitted to the show on Friday. September 06, 1953. (Photo by United Press Photo).

DN-SN-86-00835. Country: Unknown

DN-SN-89-09630. Base: Unknown

The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory obtained a Northrop P-61 Black Widow in October 1945 and modified it to serve as a subsonic testbed for ramjet engines and swept-wing aircraft models. The P-61 was developed during World War II specifically for nighttime attacks. It was the largest and heaviest US fighter in the war. The P-61s unique design included an abbreviated fuselage and twin booms that were joined by a single tail. To facilitate its nighttime missions, the P-61 was painted black and carried a radar system in its nose. It was designed so the crew could perform their flight and tracking tasks in complete darkness. NACA Lewis was in the midst of a massive research effort on ramjets when it acquired the Black Widow. Researchers used the aircraft to accelerate the ramjet until it reached a velocity at which it could be ignited. A ramjet can be seen being fired underneath the aircraft in this photograph. Sensors and instrumentat

For The RAF In Germany -- Going into service soon with some Royal Air Force Squadrons of the 2nd Allied Tactical Air Force in Germany are English Electric Canberra Mark 6 bombers, specially fitted for ground attack operations at night.The aircraft carry bombs beneath the wings and a streamlined gun-pack containing four 20mm cannons beneath the fuselage, visible in this plane being flown by an English Electric Company test pilot before delivery to the RAF. August 16, 1955. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

Hawker chief test pilot Neville Duke in the cockpit of the sleek Hawker Hunter.Acclaimed the world's fastest fighter plane, it is now being powered by the world's most powerful type tested jest engine, the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire. The record breaking combination was taken off the secret list to-day (Thursday).It was revealed that the Sapphire Hunter has made its first flight with Duke at the controls, and has already received super-priority for the Royal Air Force.The mark of the Sapphire that will go into the Hunter is still secret, but it has been revealed that one mark of Sapphire has been type tested at ***** pounds thrust, a figure which is higher than that of any other type tested jet engine in the world. The new engine will give the supersonic Hunter greater speed and range. December 11, 1952.

An air-to-air left side view of a C-5 Galaxy aircraft en route to Cairo, Egypt. This is one of the first C-5s to be painted in a camouflage pattern. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A right side view of a parked Douglas A3D-1P Skywarrior aircraft. Base: Nadc, Johnstown State: Pennsylvania (PA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Avro 707A Test Flights Successful-New Picture Delta Wing Is Shape Of The Future -- This latest air-to-air picture of the Avro 707A Delta high-speed research aircraft was made during one of the many test flights, all of them successful, which form part of a big development programme. Clearly shown are the air intakes at the wing roots - one of the main features distinguishing this aircraft from its earlier version, the Avro 707B. In that plane, a lower speed machine, the single intake is behind

DA-SN-85-13045. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of a Soviet MiG-31 Foxhound aircraft. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of a Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat-E aircraft with AA-6 Acrid air-to-air missiles attached to the wing pylons. From Soviet Military Power 1985. Country: Unknown

DN-SN-90-00297. Country: Unknown

A left side underside view of a Soviet Tu-26 Backfire bomber aircraft in flight. Country: Unknown

D-558-I in flight.

A left front view of an S-3A Viking from Air Anti-submarine Squadron 29 (VS-29) as it makes the 200,000th aircraft landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). Base: Pearl Harbor State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

XF-91 Thunderceptor

Project 30-7 - Operation Tumbler/Snapper (Nevada Test Site) Test Activities. Project 3.1, F-90 aircraft, pre-BAKER. Photographs of Atmospheric Nuclear Testing at Pacific Island and Nevada Test Sites.

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

Three-quarter left front view of a North American F-86E Sabre, "Mach Knocker" (s/n 50-620; c/n 170-42) and a pilot and a technician. Nickname on nose is "Mach Knocker".. Three-quarter left front view of a North American F-86E Sabre, "Mach Knocker" (s/n 50-620; c/n 170-42) and a pilot and a technician. Nickname on nose is "Mach Knocker"..

Artist concept of a tilt-wing strategic aircraft in low-speed configuration. Country: Unknown

Vintage Photograph. X-15 manned space probe rocket ship.

NACA

A pair of US Air Force C-141B Starlifter aircraft sit on the flight line during a stopover at the air station. Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA)

SNJ-4 Texan US Air force fighter on the ramp at Moffett Field, California, USA, 1944

An underside view of a Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat aircraft. Country: Unknown

Anefo photo collection. Lightning strike in liner bea, the damaged Schiphol device. April 12, 1965. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

The HL-10 Lifting Body is seen here parked on Rogers Dry Lake, the unique location where it landed after research flights. This 1968 photo shows the vehicle after the fins were modified to remove instabilities encountered on the first flight. It involved a change to the shape of the leading edge of the fins to eliminate flow separation. It required extensive wind-tunnel testing at Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va. NASA Flight Research Center (FRC) engineer Bob Kempel than plotted thousands of data points by hand to come up with the modification, which involved a fiberglass glove backed with a metal structure on each fin's leading edge. This transformed the vehicle from a craft that was difficult to control into the best handling of the original group of lifting bodies at the FRC.

Vintage photograph. Consolidated Vultees jet propelled XB - 46 is one of the worlds fastest bombers

An air-to-air, right front view of a Soviet An-12 Cub aircraft. Country: Unknown

Faster Than Sound - The US Air Force's rocket plane X-1 has flown 1989 miles per hour, three times the speed of sound, according to Marvin Miles, aviation editor of the Los Angeles Times. The record was reported to have been made in the stratosphere over Edwards Air Force Base at Muroc Dry Lake. January 9, 1950.

DN-SN-89-06991. Country: Unknown

DN-SC-90-01428. Base: Naval Air Station, Moffett Field State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SN-85-05721. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A S-3B Viking aircraft of Air Anti-submarine Squadron 30 (VS-30) lands during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Bottom view of a Soviet Tupolev Backfire swing-wing bomber aircraft with a fuselage-mounted AS-4 air-to-surface missile. Country: Unknown

AN air-to-air left side view of an F-5 fighter aircraft of the 57th Weapons Wing. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040303-N-6842R-022. Base: Key West State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An air-to-air left side view of a C-141 Starlifter aircraft from the 710th Military Airlift Squadron, Air Force Reserve. Base: Northern California State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Skyrocket Taking Off Using JATO

Underside view of a Soviet M-4 Bison aircraft. (Substandard image). Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of the refueling connection of a KC-135A Stratotanker aircraft refueling a KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of a Soviet Be-12 Mail anti-submarine and maritime patrol amphibian flying boat. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of an EA-3B Skywarrior aircraft. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of a Soviet I1-38 May aircraft. Country: Unknown

Aerial left front view of two Soviet YAK-38 aircraft parked on the deck of an aircraft carrier. They are equipped with Aphid AA-8 air-to-air missiles. Country: Unknown

A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117 Stealth Fighter aircraft stands on a runway during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

DN-SC-88-00705. Country: Unknown

Britain's Aircraft On Show -- The "Fairey Delta", a delta-wing research aircraft using the parachute brake after landing.The great Air Display and Exhibition organisaed by the Society of British Aircraft constructors opened at Farnborough Hampshire. September 08, 1954. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency, Limited).

Sampling for Saab 35 Draken in the air. Design: Sampling for Saab 35 Draken in the air.

Artwork: "CZ-2B in Flight". Artist: Chuck Barnes, US Air Force Art Collection. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air left side view of the F-16XL Fighting Falcon prototype aircraft as it undergoes refueling operations while on a demonstration flight during the Farnborough Air Show. The aircraft is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the wing tips and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles on the undercarriage. Base: Farnborough Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Anefo photo collection. A4 Sky Hawk Marine plane. July 26, 1961

DN-SN-89-07008. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right front view of a P-61 Black Widow aircraft. Country: Unknown

The Lockheed P2V-7B, P-2H & SP-2H Neptune Maritime patrol slope 215 (1965-1976) above the North Sea.

Low angle view of a military airplane in flight, Beechcraft, XKDB-1, Target Plane

Transfer of Dutch Starfighters to Turkey. December 15, 1980 Started from Air Base Leeuwarden 11 Lockheed (T) F-104G Starfighters direction Turkey. These ex-klu devices were provided with the Turkish crescent and were flown by kites of Volkel and Leeuwarden to the Turkish base.

A right side view of an Air Anti-submarine Squadron 30 (VS-30) S-3A Viking aircraft near Naval Air Station, Fallon. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Anefo photo collection. Demonstrations of the F16 at Volkel airbase. F16 during a demonstration flight. 19 June 1975. Noord-Brabant, Volkel

A right side view of an AGM-86 air launched cruise missile (ALCM) in flight. Base: Hill Air Force Base State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SN-88-04011. Country: Unknown

An air-to-air right side view of a Northrop F-20 Tigershark aircraft in a red and white "glamor" paint scheme. The aircraft is armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DD-ST-88-09418. Country: Unknown

S.B.A.C. Flying Display At Farnborough -- The Fairey Gannet, a three seat, anti-submarine carrier-bourne aircraft seen flying over the Avro Vulcan powered by four Olympus jet engines. September 9, 1953. (Photo by Fox Photos).;S.B.A.C. Flying Display At Farnborough -- The Fairey Gannet, a three seat, anti-submarine carrier-bourne aircraft seen flying over the Avro Vulcan powered by four Olympus jet engines.

American jet fighter which will break speed records Date: circa 1950

DA-SN-85-13050. Country: Unknown

DF-ST-88-08607. Subject Operation/Series: AFRICAN EAGLE 87 Country: Morocco (MAR)

A left rear view of an F-101 Voodoo aircraft in flight. The aircraft is assigned to the 107th Fighter Interceptor Group, New York Air National Guard, North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). Base: Niagara Falls Air Base State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Britain's Aircraft On Show To The World At Farnborough -- Using her parachute braking device for the first time, the Avro Vulcan four jet bomber is seen landing at Farnborough after taking part in the flying display before the world's aviation experts. The world's first delta-wing four jet bomber the Vulcan is in super priority production for Royal Air Force Bomber Command. It is capable of carrying the heaviest loads over long routes at high altitudes while cruising close to the speed of sound.

Lt. Col. William F. Barns (cq), Air Materiel Command Representative at North American, in cockpit of combat-loaded North American F-86D Sabre Jet interceptor in which he set a new world's speed record of 715.697 miles an hour at the Salton Sea, California on July 16, 1953. The old official record of 698.505 miles an hour was set November 19, 1952 in another F-86D Sabre by Capt. J. Slade Nash, AR & D test pilot. February 22, 1954. (Photo by North American Aviation, Inc.).

DN-ST-87-03597. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64)

DN-ST-89-11298. Base: Naval Air Station, Oceana State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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)

A A-6E Intruder aircraft is tied down on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The aircraft will be part of a flight deck display a the ship's commissioning ceremony on November 11. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Monument to the fighter aircraft. Poltavskaya village, Russia

Northrop Grumman Corporation's modified U.S. Navy F-5E Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration (SSBD) aircraft flies over Lake Isabella, California on Aug. 4, 2003. NASA Dryden provided range, air and ground data-gathering support for the SSBD project, which is part of DARPA's Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program.

A right front view of an A-7E Corsair II aircraft, with wingtips folded, secured to the deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

An air-to-air left side view of a Light Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron 63 (VFP-63) RF-8G Crusader aircraft. Country: Unknown

Anefo photo collection. Airline awarded Marinus van Meel Lieutenant Baretta. March 6, 1956

DN-ST-88-05492. Country: Unknown

A consolidated PBY-5A Catalina in Royal Navy painting at the liberation flying party in Rotterdam-Zestienhoven.

Artwork: "Hawaii I, Over Oahu" Artist: Don Tate. Country: Unknown

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