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.

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How the Canberra completed the fastest transatlantic crossing

A report from the March 2, 1951 issue of ‘The Aeroplane’ on a ground-breaking flight by a Canberra

A good comparison with the B-26C, this B-26 has the “attack” nose, with eight 12.7 mm. machine-guns. In addition to its internal bomb load, this aircraft has the standard under-wing Napalm bomb. The wing guns and zero-length rocket mounts are also shown. All “Aeroplane” photographs Feature Premium

Revealing 1951 article on the Korean air war

‘The Aeroplane’ in its January 12, 1951, published an article from a visit to one of the bases launching aircraft on missions in the Korean War

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1949 UK Stratocruiser Debut

An interesting report on the first visit of a Boeing Stratocruiser to the UK, as reported in the April 15, 1949 issue of ‘The Aeroplane’

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Swissair - Goodbye Metropolitan, Hello DC-9

The arrival of the DC-9 with Swissair meant the days of its last propliner were numbered, although as revealed in the August 25, 1966 issue of ‘Aeroplane’ there were some unexpected complications...

NOCTURNAL ACTIVITY. – When the helicopter returns to Peterborough some of the mail is taken to the railway station and some to the post office for local distribution. A small quantity of mail is carried in the rear compartment, shown open in this photograph. All “Aeroplane” photographs Feature Premium

Revolutionary 1949 BEA Helicopter Mail Trial

A fascinating piece in ‘The Aeroplane’ on a trial by BEA for the Post Office in 1949 using helicopters to carry mail

A SOUTHLAND AGGRESSOR. – One of the U.S.A.F.’s B-29 Superfortress which attempted to penetrate the defences. A representative of THE AEROPLANE flew in one of these aircraft during the exercise. Feature Premium

‘Bombing’ England aboard a B-29 Superfortress

‘The Aeroplane’ was invited to witness an air defence exercise from a USAF B-29 Superfortress, with the report appearing in its September 10, 1948 issue

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1961 Belvedere Rotary Revolution for the RAF

The heavy-lift capabilities of the RAF’s then new Belvedere helicopter were demonstrated at RAF Odiham with ‘The Aeroplane and Astronautics’ reporting on the event in the November 16, 1961 issue

Sub. Lieut. Boas lifts Wessex “300” off the pad at Culdrose for a practice sortie. Feature Premium

Wessex – the beginning of a legend

The Royal Navy operated numerous versions of the Wessex and ‘The Aeroplane and Astronautics’ was there to cover the helicopter’s early days with the Fleet Air Arm with this report from the October 5, 1961 issue

The fuselage of the B-36 is almost completely circular in section. Points of interest include the radar scanner behind the steerable nosewheel unit, the offset bomb-aiming panel, and nose cannon. All "Aeroplane" photographs Feature Premium

10-engine US Bomber’s 1951 UK debut

The first arrival in the UK of the USAF’s gargantuan Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber was covered by ‘The Aeroplane’ 70 years ago, with the reporter suitably impressed

Fuel can be jettisoned from the wing-tip tanks instead of dropping the tanks. All “Aeroplane” photographs Feature Premium

Fleet Air Arm Sea Venom insights from 1954

An interesting report on the Royal Navy’s first Sea Venom squadron during its work-up at RNAS Yeovilton, as featured in the July 23, 1954 issue of ‘The Aeroplane’