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.

RESEARCH – AND DEVELOPMENT – During the early days of the Comet’s design history, consideration was given to the claims of the tailless, swept-back layout. Some valuable practical experience in this direction was obtained with the D.H.108 which was specially built for research into this problem. Here is the Comet on the day of its first flight, with the D.H.108. Feature Premium

Comet creator – insights from de Havilland’s chief designer

The man who designed the revolutionary Comet jetliner, R E Bishop, wrote this exclusive article for ‘The Aeroplane’ which was published the same day as the aircraft’s first commercial service on May 2, 1952

Comet under construction. Feature Premium

First ever colour photos of the Comet

‘The Aeroplane’ scored a world exclusive when it published the first colour photos of the Comet in its July 29, 1949 issue. The piece also explored the design of this revolutionary aircraft

A tidy and relatively simple control cabin layout is especially essential in the case of a jet transport, in which, at critical stages of a flight, a great deal must be done in a short time. This more restful occasion in the Comet's control cabin was pictured while Capt. A. M. A. Majendie, M.A., was pointing out the features to Lord Ogmore, lately Minister of Civil Aviation. Capt. Majendie has done a greater part of the flying and operational development work for the Comet Unit. ‘Aeroplane’ photograph Feature Premium

BOAC Comet Captain insights

CAPT. M. R. ALDERSON, who was in charge of B.O.A.C.’s Comet unit, spoke to H. A. TAYLOR for the January 11, 1952 issue of ‘The Aeroplane’ and gave an outline of some of the more interesting features in jet transport operation after six months of preliminary route-proving trials

Points of interest on this Mil Mi 1T, in which the author made his flight at Tushino aerodrome, include the under-boom aerials for the radio altimeter and the small adjustable stabilizer. Photographs copyright “The Aeroplane” Feature Premium

First Westerner to fly in a Russian helicopter

On a visit to the Soviet Union in 1956 ‘The Aeroplane’s’ John Fricker was privileged to be the first Westerner to be invited to fly in a Russian helicopter. His report on the flight appeared in the August 17, 1956 issue

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The RAF’s first Javelin squadron

In its July 13, 1956 issue ‘The Aeroplane’ reported on No. 46 Squadron at RAF Odiham which was putting the Javelin through its paces in terms of trials and tactics development

Dakota KN628 Feature Premium

‘Monty’s’ personal Dakota

The Dakota KN628 was used for much of its career in uniform by the famous British military leader Bernard Montgomery. In its August 17, 1956 issue ‘The Aeroplane’ looked back over its service after it sold by the Air Ministry

Only the bogie undercarriage units and the longer tandem cockpit enclosure provide immediately distinguishing features between the Mirage IV, seen here with its half-ribbon brake parachute deployed, and the smaller Mirage III fighter. Feature Premium

Developing France’s Mirage IV nuclear bomber

The Dassault Mirage IV was designed solely as a nuclear bomber and ‘The Aeroplane and Astronautics’ reviewed the aircraft’s progress to entering service in its February 3, 1961 issue

Iraqi Vampires, of No. 5 Squadron, over the desert. “Aeroplane” photograph Feature Premium

Vampires and Venoms of the Iraqi Air Force

In its September 30, 1955 issue ‘The Aeroplane’ had a fascinating article based on a visit to Iraq to see the latest jet equipment used by the country’s air force

Start of the tour – No. 139 Squadron Canberras taxi-ing for take-off at RAF Hemswell on August 9. Feature Premium

Caribbean Canberras

In 1955 the RAF despatched Canberras and Hastings to the Carribbean and Canada on a goodwill and training visit, while the former also participated in an exercise. ‘The Aeroplane’ reported on this deployment in its December 30 issue that year

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Birth of a legendary bizjet family

Arguably the most famous name in the bizjet world is ‘Lear Jet’, with the latest variant Learjet (as it is now called) still in production by Bombardier almost 60 years after the original’s first flight. We take a look back at the very early days of the programme with this article from ‘The Aeroplane and Commercial Aviation News ‘, published on May 21, 1964