From wood to carbon-fibre: the advancement of aeroplane materials
The journey from wood to carbon composite materials has been fascinating...
Historic Humpday Quiz
We're back again to wet your appetites with this week's Historic Aviation Quiz!
The top five most heroic flights of all time…
Aviators often know the risks they face with their chosen occupation. But these pilots took on that risk, while bravely ensuring the safety of their dependants…
Air Legend 2020 airshow: Cancelled
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the local authorities have prohibited the Paris Villaroche AIR LEGEND 2020 airshow to take place
When the X-15 smashed 350,000ft
It was an aircraft capable of Mach 6.7, and would expand humankind’s reach of the universe by proving that we could fly at unthinkable altitudes. On August 22, 1963, the X-15 reached the unthinkable – and then kept going…
The evolution of autopilot
In 1914, autopilot was demonstrated for the first time. This year, Airbus achieved the first ever automatic take-off. One of historic aviation’s greatest inventions has come a long way in the last century…
Ultimate historic aviation accommodation!
A former RAF tower overlooking a bombing range that the Dambusters used has become a luxury getaway. We went to have a look…
DC-10 in BCal and BA Service
In the first of three articles to mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight by McDonnell Douglas DC-10 on August 29, 1970, Bob O’Brien recounts the type’s service with British Caledonian Airways, its charter subsidiaries and latterly British Airways.
Latest Issues from our leading aviation publications
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The Latest Historic Aviation News All in One Place
This is your one stop shop for everything you could possibly want to know about historic aviation. Historic aircraft flights, displays and renovations can all be found among the categories and articles linked to from this page.
Readers can find categories for Warbirds, restoration projects by individuals and organisations such as museums, and in-depth resources on iconic aircraft from all the corners of the globe. Whether it is the Hughes H-4 Hercules Spruce Goose, Boeing C-137 Stratoliner, Aerospatiale / British Aircraft Corporation Concorde, Tupolev Tu-144, Hawker Harrier jump-jet or any other historic commercial and military aircraft, the information is here at your fingertips.
Warbird News & Projects
Warbird enthusiasts spend their time bringing iconic military aircraft back to life and in some cases even back to a state of airworthiness. The name Warbird originally referred only to World War 2 era aircraft but has since been widened to include all historical military aircraft.
Popular Warbird types include the North American P-51 Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and the Messerschmitt Bf109. While one or two-seat fighters are affordable for the individual enthusiast to restore, aviation museums and groups of people take on much larger aircraft. Examples of these, include, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and the Avro Lancaster. The most famous of recent years must be the Avro Vulcan supersonic bomber, which is now on a static display in the UK but flew for several years at airshows.
Spitfire Fighter Aircraft
The Supermarine Spitfire is arguably the most iconic World War II era European aircraft. Credited with a significant role in the Battle of Britain victory against the Luftwaffe’s assault on Great Britain in the summer of 1940, the propeller driven fighter was designed by Reginald J Mitchell at Supermarine Aviation. Mitchell designed the Spitfire with the Rolls-Royce Merlin and Griffon engines in mind because he saw their potential when combined with the aircraft’s unique aerodynamics.
The Spitfire first flew on 5th March 1936 from Eastleigh Aerodrome. However, due to production issues and limitations in Supermarine’s manufacturing process, the first production Spitfire did not take to the skies for a further 2 years. The Spitfire was born four months after the maiden flight of its partner aircraft, the Hawker Hurricane. Together they would deny Nazi Germany air superiority over England and the English channel.
Aircraft Restorations
The restoration of historical aircraft is a challenge full of difficult obstacles with missing engines, control system parts, and the need for significant fuselage, wing or tail repair. The long, slow process of restoring an aircraft to a flight worthy condition or simply for static display is taken up by many individuals, but also museums and groups of enthusiasts.
The restorations undertaken can be as small as a one-seat civilian bi-plane or the always popular Warbirds, or as large as a Lockheed C-121C Constellation. Museums that tackle large scale restorations include the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum in Missouri and the Museum of Flight in Everett, Washington. These museums have restored early propeller driven passenger aircraft and the early airliners built in the USA and Europe, like the de Havilland Comet.
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