All articles in Aviation
3rd May, 2017 in Aviation
Zeppelin Hindenburg, transatlantic workhorse
In 1936 and 1937, the Zeppelin Hindenburg was the quickest way to travel between the United States and Europe. LZ-129 Hindenburg dazzled the world as the latest in a series of advances in transoceanic transportation. A hundred years earlier, Brunel’s steamship Great Western, stea…
15th February, 2017 in Aviation
The maiden flight of Zeppelin Hindenburg
In March 1936, after numerous construction delays, LZ-129 was finally ready to fly. The most advanced Zeppelin built up to that time, on paper it was everything its operators could have wanted in an airship. But how would it handle when they finally got it into the air? LZ-129 em…
1st February, 2017 in Aviation
The end of an era for Laker Airways
During the winter of 1981–82 Sir Freddie Laker, pioneer of the cheap ‘no-frills’ charter airline, attempted to diversify into the full-fare market by introducing a ‘regency class’ premium cabin on Skytrain services. Although that season proved very costly to the airline, with man…
20th January, 2017 in Aviation
Concorde: Flying hotel to pocket rocket
Concorde was an entirely new working environment. The familiar spacious cabins of the 747s were replaced with a narrow, low-ceilinged interior (the cabin height being 6ft 5 in (1.96m)) and grey leather seats that exuded exclusivity. This was more private jet than flying machine f…
7th December, 2016 in Aviation
The Spitfire: R.J. Mitchell’s radical design development
R.J. Mitchell’s magnificent Supermarine Spitfire is, without a doubt, one of the most instantly recognisable aircraft ever built and its reputation as a formidable, high-speed, dog-fighting interceptor was well-earned. Standing out both visually and in terms of performance amongs…
15th September, 2016 in Aviation, Biography & Memoir, Military
What became of ‘The Few’ after the Battle of Britain?
To the grateful population of post-war Britain those pilots who had fought against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain were true heroes. They were lauded in the media of the day and became the subjects of many a film. England’s Prime Minister Winston Churchill was even qu…
24th August, 2016 in Aviation
The enduring appeal of hot air balloons
When the Marquis d’Arlandes and Pilatre de Rozier made the first manned free-balloon flight in 1783, the event was witnessed by thousands of people. Since time immemorial ordinary people have flocked to gaze upon daring feats – from the gladiators of ancient Rome t…
9th May, 2016 in Aviation, Military
The Rudolf Hess flight: 10 conspiracies
On 10 May 1941 Deputy Führer of the Third Reich, Rudolf Hess, provoked widespread intrigue and speculation when he embarked on an astonishing flight to Scotland. In one of the most bizarre episodes of World War II, Hitler’s deputy flew solo for almost 1,000 miles from Bavaria in…
5th April, 2016 in Aviation
Concorde chronology
A look back at the history of the iconic record-breaking supersonic airliner, from early developments in supersonic transport, through to the decommissioning of Concorde in 2003. 1954 February – A group meets to study the supersonic transport (SST) concept for the first…
2nd March, 2016 in Aviation, Maritime, Military
A tribute to Derek James, D-Day veteran and aviation author
David Gibbings, a retired RAF navigator and flight test engineer for helicopters and aircraft, pays tribute to fellow The History Press author and D-Day veteran, Derek James, who recently passed away. Derek James, the author, has died at the age of 92. Derek was a proli…
22nd February, 2016 in Aviation, Biography & Memoir
Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown & the gateway to supersonic flight
One of Britain’s most celebrated pilots and a true legend of aviation, Captain Eric Melrose ‘Winkle’ Brown, died on 21 February 2016 at the age of 97. Capt Eric Brown was the Royal Navy’s most decorated pilot, achieved several ‘firsts’ in naval aviation and held three world recor…
16th December, 2015 in Aviation
The R34 airship
The R34 airship, which made the first ever east-west flight across the Atlantic as well as the first-ever return flight across the pond, is a forgotten chapter in British aviation history. The Scottish county of East Lothian is known for its scenic golf courses, historic castles…