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.
Insights into the World’s Biggest Helicopter
Bill Gunston cast an expert eye over the massive Mil Mi-12 ‘Homer’ helicopter in the February 1976 issue of Aeroplane Monthly. Here’s what he wrote…
Insights from a 1959 Gloster Javelin flight
We found a view-from-the-cockpit report from a 1959 issue of The Aeroplane and Astronautics on the RAF’s latest fighter at the time
Fascinating report on the B-47 Stratojet from 1951
A detailed review of the massive Boeing bomber programme from The Aeroplane, 70 years ago
Revealed: rare historic insights into the YF-12A and SR-71
“I unreservedly describe them as the most thrilling birds in the sky today,” was how legendary aviation writer Bill Gunston described the YF-12A and SR-71 in the March 1974 issue of Aeroplane Monthly. Read his article here…
V-Bomber Exercise Report from 1961
A fascinating insight into the testing of the capabilities of Bomber Command and Fighter Command during war games.
Read one of the first ever Concorde flight reports
This is how the legendary Bill Gunston described his 3.5-hr flight from London to Tehran in Concorde G-BBDG back in 1976
Read a Meteor flight test from 1951
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and saw action during World War Two. The design was developed, including the F.8 variant which was flight tested by The Aeroplane 70 years ago…
Unseen Luftwaffe reports from 1941
If you’ve ever wondered how aviation-related news was reported during World War Two, here’s the answer: the following article featured in The Aeroplane 80 years ago on May 9, 1941…
News from May 1940
Ben Dunnell looks back 80 years to see how The Aeroplane covered momentous events of 1940...