Aeroplane Archive
The Key.Aero team have delved for treasure in the archive of Aeroplane Magazine dating back to 1911. Aviation history brought to life by the editors of the period.
Inside Bristow's 1960s North Sea oil rig helicopter service
From the February 16, 1967 issue of Aeroplane, Raymond Hankin describes Bristow Helicopters’ support service for rigs drilling off the east coast of the UK for oil and natural gas
Revealing Insights into UK-based USAF F-86D Sabres
A detailed report on the new capabilities provided by the F-86D from the April 22, 1955 issue of The Aeroplane
Farnborough Airshow insights from TV’s Raymond Baxter
For many years the distinctive voice of Raymond Baxter was synonymous with Farnborough Airshow, due to him presenting the BBC’s coverage of the aeronautical extravaganza. In this October 1978 article in ‘Aeroplane Monthly’ he gives a personal take on the famous airshow
Twin Pioneer Demo Tours
When Scottish Aviation sent its new Twin Pioneer on demonstration tours, it really put the aircraft through its paces
By David Dorman
When conscripts flew RAF fighters
The days when National Service pilots flew RAF jet fighters are understandably long gone, but memories remain strong – not least amongst those who piloted Meteors
Handley Page Hampden night-fighters
A desperate measure to combat the German night raiders of late 1940 saw Handley Page Hampdens being pressed into use as improvised fighters
Farman Goliath - bomber turned airliner
Farman’s Goliath started out as a design for a bomber, was turned into an airliner — and then became a bomber again
Bomber Command raid on Renault plant
Bomber Command’s raid against the Renault works at Billancourt on 3 March 1942 was a pivotal one for several reasons. Not only did it see the first application of new operational techniques under Arthur Harris, but post-strike reconnaissance brought to the fore the outstanding qualities of the new de Havilland Mosquito
Was the Vickers Vanguard terribly timed?
The February 24, 1961 issue of ‘The Aeroplane and Astronautics’ published a fascinating article on the Vanguard amid its entry into service with BEA. Even then, just three months after it began flying for the airline, it was clear that the type’s longevity was in doubt
Lufthansa’s early Boeing 727 operations
Lufthansa was the first airline in Europe to fly the Boeing 727 and ‘The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News’ December 31, 1964 issue looked at the type’s first seven months of operations with the German carrier