Some of the most famous aircraft in aviation history are captured in this dynamic collection. It all began in December 1903 when, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers succeeded in flying their powered aircraft - the 1903 Wright Flyer now preserved in the Smithsonian Institute. The Wright Flyer takes its rightful place in this collection along with its descendants including everyone's favourite aircraft, Concorde, and the incredible Nighthawk.
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The first powered flight of a heavier-than-air machine with a pilot on board took place on 17 December 1903. At Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved this amazing feat and secured their place in history.
The Wright brothers had been fascinated by building and inventing since childhood and once they had left school they began work on constructing printing presses and eventually started a business in making and repairing bicycles. Money from their many projects helped fund their passion for aeronautics.
The Wright brothers were convinced that human flight was possible and they were determined to prove it. After a few short years of experimenting with kites and other flying apparatus they finally achieved success. On 17 December 1948, forty five years since their historic achievement, the original Wright 1903 flyer was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. where it remains on display.
THE AIRCRAFT
Concorde - Since its maiden flight on 2 March 1969 Concorde has held man in thrall
Messerschmitt Me262 - the first ever jet powered plane engaged in military action
AV-8B Harrier II - with vertical and short take off and landing (VSTOL) capabilities
1903 Wright Flyer - the original
Antonov An-225 Mriya - the largest aircraft in the world
China Clipper - the first true intercontinental airliner
Douglas DC-3 -famously known as the Dakota in WWII
Bell X-1 - the first piloted plane to fly faster than the speed of sound
De Havilland Comet 1 - the world's first jet airliner
Sikorsky VS-300 - pioneered the single main rotor concept used on helicopters
F-117A Nighthawk - the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology
Supermarine Spitfire - the aircraft synonymous with the Battle of Britain 1940