The final museum of my recent US trip was handily placed on the airport boundary that my flight home would be departing from in a few hours time. I spent four hours wandering around the museum soaking in the atmosphere that is something like no other. This was my third visit to the museum and … Continue reading Museum Profile: Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Part 1 – WW1 and Interwar Years
As can and does happen in historic aviation, the weather can often put an end to best laid plans. Travelling great distances to watch old aeroplanes, particularly pre-WWII types, fly is always a challenge. Frustratingly, though most days I was in the states, even on the East coast, the weather was quite pleasant. That was … Continue reading Museum Profile – Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
The central theme for this years airshow at La Ferté-Alais in France was the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1. As part of the comprehensive account of aviation history held each year and the picturesque airfield, there is always a significant WW1 set piece, often making use of a handful of original and replica … Continue reading Airshow Moments 2018 2 – Great War 100 at La Ferté-Alais
The name Brooklands is synonymous with British automotive history, being home to the first purpose built motor-racing circuit in the world. Another important part of the sites story is a rich history of aviation development design and testing. https://www.flickr.com/photos/127965535@N04/38781374084/in/dateposted-public/ Brooklands was one of the first cradles of aviation in the United Kingdom and would ultimately … Continue reading Brooklands Museum Aircraft Factory & Flight Shed
I was able to make a brief visit to Stow Maries last Saturday as I was in the area. This was my first time visiting the site and the place is clearly a time capsule and a gem! You can feel the history and atmosphere as soon as you turn on to the narrow approach … Continue reading Stow Maries Autumn Fly In – 5th September 2015
As fundamental and important as every piece of aerodynamic and structural design has been for every stage of development of powered flight, nothing, but nothing has been as important as the power itself. In this series I intend to run through a number of historically significant power-plants and explain why they were important and some … Continue reading Aero Engines Of History: 1903 – 1914
Last week I posted my thoughts on the new First World War exhibition at the RAF Museum's Hendon site, this post looks at the history of the aircraft included in the display. Bleriot XXVII - "433": This aircrafts history until around 1965 is not known, though it is highly likley that the aircraft was built … Continue reading First World War In the Air – RAF Museum – Exhibit Histories
December is an historic month for aviation as it marks the anniversary of the Wright Brothers finally realising mans quest for controlled flight. In the decade or so following that achievement there were of course countless aircraft produced. It was an exciting time of daring pilots and impressive designs as well as being a period … Continue reading Pre War Pioneers – Shuttleworth’s Edwardians
Warbird Tails 