Aviators Collection (#7)

Imperial Airways aeroplane, 1931 C014 / 0463
Imperial Airways aeroplane. Imperial Airways Handley Page H.P.42 biplane Hanno in October 1931 at Semakh on the Sea of Galilee

Test pilots and X-1E aircraft, 1962 C014 / 1089
Test pilots and X-1E aircraft. US test pilots on 2 October 1962 in front of the X-1E supersonic aircraft at NACAs High-Speed Flight Station at Edwards Air Force Base

Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906 C017 / 7834
Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906. Commissioned by US journalist and explorer Walter Wellman (1858-1934), and built in France for his expedition to reach the North Pole

Italian aircraft production, World War I C016 / 4577
Italian aircraft production, World War I. Group of military officers and aircraft manufacturers during World War I. At centre is the Italian aircraft engineer Giovanni Battista Caproni (1886-1957)

British aviators, early 20th century C016 / 4574
British aviators consulting a map. Powered flight began with the Wright Brothers in 1903. By the time of World War I, machine guns were in use (in background)

Balloonists cartoon, 1785 C016 / 4313
Balloonists cartoon. 18th-century caricature of balloonists, titled Fowls of a feather flock together. Three balloons are shown overhead, including one in flames and crashing to the ground

Berlin Airlift cargo aeroplanes, 1948-9 C016 / 4233
Berlin Airlift cargo aeroplanes. US Navy R4D and US Air Force C-47 aircraft being unloaded at Berlins Tempelhof Airport during the Berlin Airlift of 1948-9

First fatal air crash, 1908 C016 / 2529
First fatal air crash, 1908. Spectators and army personnel tending to the victim of the crash of the Wright Military Flyer (Wright Model A) at Fort Myer, Virginia, USA, on 17 September 1908

French and US aviation pioneers, 1910 C014 / 0135
French and US aviation pioneers. From left, they are French aviator Jacques Benjamin de Lesseps (1883-1927), US aviator Glenn Hammond Curtiss (1878-1930)

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"Aviators: Pioneers of the Skies" From Amy Johnson's daring solo flight to Santos-Dumont's Sem, they have always pushed the boundaries of human achievement. Cabral and Coutinho defied all odds as they embarked on a historic journey, flying from Portugal to Brazil. The Bystander's article "Flying for Women" showcased the indomitable spirit of female aviators like Beryl Markham, who shattered stereotypes and soared through the clouds. The iconic image of the first flight in Kitty Hawk transports us back to that monumental moment when Orville and Wilbur Wright took off, covering 120 feet in just 12 seconds. This black-and-white photograph captures their determination and sets the stage for countless aviation triumphs to come. Innovations such as Batchelor Monoplane revolutionized aircraft design, while Harriet Quimby fearlessly broke barriers by becoming the first licensed female pilot in America. Shell Special Petrol fueled these pioneers' dreams, propelling them higher into uncharted skies. Samuel Cody's assorted memorabilia serves as a testament to his contributions towards aviation history. These artifacts remind us of his unwavering dedication and passion for flight. Motoring and Aviation Record Breakers continue to inspire awe with their incredible feats - Jim Mollison's partnership with Kangaroo exemplifies this spirit perfectly. Together, they conquered vast distances through sheer determination and skill. Aviation has come a long way since its humble beginnings; it has become an integral part of our modern world. As we look up at planes soaring overhead today, let us remember those brave aviators who paved the way for humanity's conquest of the skies.