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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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’

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The jet-powered flying boat that was a nuclear bomber

Before submarines took on a strategic nuclear missile role, the US Navy sought to use jet-powered flying boats to carry nuclear weapons. In 1955, The Aeroplane revealed the first photos of this new concept

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Tenth Anniversary Meteor Tribute from 1954

After a decade in service The Aeroplane’s July 9, 1954 issue looks back over the type’s development with a particular focus on 25 Sqn

OPERATIONAL TWO-SEATHER. – Intended for all normal operational roles as well as for high-speed training, the N.A. F-100F Super Sabre is surprisingly tractable for its weight and performance. FW-730, “The Spirit of St. Louis II”, is the sixth production F-100F. Photograph copyright "The Aeroplane” Feature Premium

Supersonic in the Super Sabre in 1957

The North American Aviation F-100 Super Sabre was the USAF’s first supersonic fighter and The Aeroplane gave a first-hand account of flying in this fighter after John Fricker was taken aloft. His revealing report was published in the June 28, 1957 edition