Historical Airships

Black and white photographs of early 20th-century airships in flight and during preparations, showcasing aviation history.

U.S. Army dirigible

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Gamma being attached to a portable mooring mast. Note the different tail arrangement on the airship and the covering on the rear half of the gondola.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view of Nulli Secundus I taking off with Cody at engine controls. Along with a good number of Army handlers there are several civilians watching. The rigging and control surfaces can be clearly seen. It was in this airship that Cody and Colonel Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot made their record breaking flight from Farnborough to London. The journey of 40 miles took three hours twenty five minutes and included circling St Paul's Cathedral. It finished at the cycle stadium next to Crystal Palace. At the time this was a world record for a non-rigid airship. Cody was responsible for the design of the nacelle and spar frame that attached the nacelle to the airship envelope and kept the latter rigid. The construction of the frame from hickory, spruce and bamboo followed similar lines to the methods used for his kites and gliders. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appo

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The naval airship Beta II in flight.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Beta I being pulled by a group of handlers.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Baby just about to take off.

Balloon in Veneto 4.4.18. Partly these are recordings that can not be assigned directly to the IsonzoFront, but for admission from the conquered Venetian areas

10/31/1913. Testing a shock absorber in Issy-Les-Molineaux. M. Aram's balloon, with the shock absorber hanging from the nacelle.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Gamma airship tethered to the ground next to the airship sheds at Farnborough. Note the contruction of a new shed in the background and the portable shed beyond that.

U.S. Army dirigible

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Delta flying over the Royal Aircraft Factory. The balloon sheds can be seen on the left hand side of the photograph.

Germany. Aerostation flight test with an aluminum airship, held at Tempelhof, near Berlin, on November 3, 1897. David Schwarz (1850-1897) designed and built it. The airship was 134 feet long and 46 feet high. The test did not give the expected results, although the ship reached an altitude of 400 meters, it crashed. Engraving by Matute. La Ilustracion Espanola y Americana, 1898.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The original Nulli Secundus airship in flight. It was in Nulli Secundus that Cody and Colonel Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot made their record breaking flight from Farnborough to London The journey of 40 miles took three hours twenty five minutes and included circling St Paul's Cathedral. It finished at the cycle stadium next to Crystal Palace. At the time this was a world record for a non-rigid airship. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing him as instructor. They remained good friends throughout Cody's life and on 15th August 1909 he became the first passenger to be carried by an aircraft in Britain. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing him as instructor. After this their relationship soured, due partly to Capper's bias towards airships rather than aeroplanes and his support of a rival avia

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Baby in flight, note the differences between this version of the airship and probably later photographs (e.g. RAE-O 447 and RAE-O 453) in particular the lack of an upper fin on the envelope and the uncovered gondola. The image is rather grainy.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The army airship Baby on the ground with a party of handlers, note the differences between this version of the airship and probably later photographs (e.g. RAE-O 447 and RAE-O 453) in particular the lack of an upper fin on the envelope and the uncovered gondola. The image is rather grainy.

Willow Dirigible

GRAF ZEPPELIN People mill around as the Airship prepares for take off. Date: 1938

Elsevier photo collection. safe return airship Zeppelin 33 Fulham airport, 2 pm North Sea drainlessly removed. heavy damage caused landing tower seen. January 1925. Fulham

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A good view of Nulli Secundus I on the ground in the middle of the cycle track at Crystal Palace (visible in the background), the same venue where Cody used to carry out his horse against cycle races (Cody riding a horse verses a professional cyclist of the day). This is the end of the record breaking flight from Farnborough to London made by Cody and Colonel Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot. The journey of 40 miles took three hours twenty five minutes and included circling St Paul's Cathedral. At the time this was a world record for a non-rigid airship. Cody was responsible for the design of the nacelle and spar frame that attached the nacelle to the airship envelope and kept the latter rigid. The construction of the frame from hickory, spruce and bamboo followed similar lines to the methods used for his kites and gliders. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing h

Miss Liberty Views A New Queen -- Way down below you can see the statue of liberty gazing upwards at the U.S. Navy Dirigible Akron as the newest queen of the skies passed over-read for its first look at New York. The picture was taken from a plane high above the Akron one of the many heavier than craft which accompanied the airship to the metropolis. November 2, 1931. (Photo by International News Photos).

1900S 1910S Lincoln Beachey Airship Appearance Is Cross Between Hot Air Balloon And Blimp

Control room Dirigible Hindenburg Lakehurst New Jersey USA

Airship "Bodensee," making daily flight from Berlin to Friedrichschafen, Oct. 1919

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Gamma airship on the ground with a Farman biplane in the air in the forground. This could be a montage.

Skiopticone image with motifs of airships.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War DERA FARNBOROUGH (ROYAL AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHMENT). The army airship Baby near to the ground with its tethering ropes being held by several soldiers.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A Maurice Farman pusher biplane in flight over Farnborough.

November 1919. The American airship "F-1", escorting the ocean liner "George Washington", during the return trip of the Kings of Belgium.

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Nulli Secundus I leaving the airship shed at the start of its maiden voyage, only the first part of the envelope is visible. Cody is in the gondola with a group of handlers keeping the airship steady. Cody was responsible for the design of the nacelle and spar frame that attached the nacelle to the airship envelope and kept the latter rigid. The construction of the frame from hickory, spruce and bamboo followed similar lines to the methods used for his kites and gliders. It was in this airship that Cody and Colonel Capper of the Balloon School at Aldershot made their record breaking flight from Farnborough to London. The journey of 40 miles took three hours twenty five minutes and included circling St Paul's Cathedral. It finished at the cycle stadium next to Crystal Palace. At the time this was a world record for a non-rigid airship. Colonel Capper was instrumental in the War Office deciding to use Cody's man carrying kites and appointing

Captain T S Baldwin in Airship No.4 "California Arrow" at the Forest Park Airship Race, St. Louis, Missouri, USA on 23rd October 1907. A race meeting of the James Gordon Bennett International Aeronautic Club. 1907

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The Beta airship in flight in the middle distance.

Extensive preparations underway at Roosevelt Field on Long Island to receive, anchor, and repair the British dirigible R-34. The photograph depicts a general view of the R-34. Taken on July 1, 1919, it shows the efforts made to accommodate the arrival of the massive airship. (Additional information: Photograph taken by photographer S.C. Steniger, received on July 17, 1919)

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A de Havilland biplane on the ground.

Take-off of the Italian Elfe hot air balloon, piloted by Alfred Vonwiller and Ettore Cianetti, during the first Gordon-Bennett aviation competition, Tuileries Garden, September 30, 1906, Paris, France, photograph from L'Illustration, No 3319, October 6, 1906.

Baldwin balloon (dirigible), in flight over spectators

Aircraft and Balloons Used by Some of the Air Pioneers Who Were Contemporary With Samuel Franklin Cody. Members of the balloon factory aero club watching the use of a tethered observation balloon.

New Year Maiden Voyage "Caronia" for Atlantic Service :Workmen busy painting the mammoth funnel of the "Coronia" during the final stages of preparation for her maiden voyage, at Mesars John Brown and Co's fitting out basin, Glasgow.Launched by her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, at Clydebank on October 30th, 1947, the Cunard white star liner "Caronia", largest passenger ship built this year, is to make her maiden voyage on January 4th 1949 when she leaves Southampton for New York, via Cherbourg. November 16, 1948. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

Germany, Graf Zeppelin shortly before completion

Departure of the balloons participating in the Gordon Bennett Cup in Schmargendorf park in Berlin, October 11, 1908, Germany, photograph by Fiorilli, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXV, No 42, October 18, 1908.

06/30/1908. A new Airship balloon. Count Zeppelin's aerostat over Lake Constance where it has been tested with excellent success.

Gaston Tissandier (1843-1899). French aeronaut and science communicator. Albert-Charles Tissandier (1839-1906). French architect, aeronaut, publisher and archaeologist. In 1881, the Tissandier brothers made the world's first electric-powered flight at an electricity exhibition by fitting an electric motor to an airship. After their first flight experiments, they built a large-scale model which they exhibited, for which Albert drew up the plans. The airship was 28 metres long and over 9 metres in diameter at its centre. The first airship powered by an electric motor took place on 8 October 1883, at Auteuil, a suburb of Paris (France). A second successful attempt was made in Paris on 26 September 1884. Tissandier electric airship. Engraving by Bernardo Rico (1825-1894). The Spanish and American Illustration (La Ilustración Española y Americana). October 15, 1884. Author: Bernardo Rico (1825-1894). Spanish painter and engraver.

Assman's Balloon

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War An observation balloon outside building Q 3. Three workers are in the basket of the balloon with seven more stood either side of it.

Goodyear Blimp, USA, circa 1940

France, Stereo photo of Henri Farman's airplane in flight, photograph, photo, photos, height mm, width mm, photographer, 1910 - 1910, daylight collodion silver print

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War A medium close up of the gondola of Nulli Secundus II with Cody aboard and ground handlers holding on to it. This was an enlarged version of the original Nulli Secundus and used the same Antoinette Engine. The airship was only operated for around two months before being scrapped.

A kite balloon tethered to the balloon barge NORMAN WADE on the River Humber, at No. 17 Balloon Centre at Sutton-on-Hull in Yorkshire, January 1943. A kite balloon tethered to the balloon barge NORMAN WADE on the River Humber, ready to be taken ashore for inspection and maintenance at No. 17 Balloon Centre, Sutton-on-Hull, Yorkshire.

Jet 579. September 30, 1954.

Blimp coming out of hanger. Fédèle Azari (Italian, 1895 - 1930)

The P2 military airship in the Piazza d'Armi hangar in Milan, Italy, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XXXVIII, No 33, August 13, 1911.

Zeppelin Passenger airship

Anefo photo collection. Balloon race Amsterdam stunt flies. September 2, 1950. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

An airship of the Italian Royal Navy back from a mission beyond the Adriatic, Italy, World War I, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XLIII, No 49-50, December 3-10, 1916.

USS AKRON at Moffett Field, Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Johnson of San Jose and their daughter Ruth. It was possible for the public to park on the shoulder of Bayshore Freeway and walk out on the field to inspect the 'AKRON'. No fences or security guards!

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War Several airships on the ground Delta is in the foreground Willow C in the middle distance and Beta in the background.

Zeppelin airship, 6:05 AM Aug. 4 '08

The third Gordon Bennett balloon race. A pair of inflated balloons ready for takeoff. Spectators around it. On one of the balloons partially legible The name Graudenz

Balloon, 1888. Artist: Unknown

Aviation in Britain Before the First World War The partially inflated army airship Beta being moved out of the airship shed note the white overalls of most of the handlers..

Elsevier photo collection. The balloon comes down with an empty man to get new parachute springs

Photograph of Airship L-8 Before Crashing on Moffet Field, California Over Billboard"Airship L-8 before crashing in Daly City, California over billboard." Photograph taken by: NAS Moffet Field.

Anefo photo collection. Balloon race Amsterdam stunt flies. September 2, 1950. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

Anefo photo collection. Skutsilen on the Frisian waters, it goes the skuts for the wind. July 23, 1964

British Military Dirigible

Dirigible in hanger over water, Aviation

Anefo photo collection. Tube transport by air per helicopter. Helicopter with the tube. May 24, 1961

08/31/1909. The "Santos Dumont" airplane. Harvest festival in Bordeaux. Very notable flight made by Santos Dumont from Saint-Cyr A Buc.

The German Dirigible L20 After Ditching In The North Sea, 1916.

1912 'helicopter' designed by German engineer, Otto Baumgaerte. It can rise without a start, remain motionless in the air a longer time, and be turned in desired direction. Two propellers, with six blades each, set upon the same axle. By means of the angles at which the rotors are set, they serve for raising and lowering purposes.

Hot Italian "Caproni" Bomber The company Caproni, named after her founder, produced three-motor bombers for the Italian Air Force. In the picture a heavy bomber of the Type Caproni Ca 3

09/04/1914. From England to Belgium. An English airship passing through Ostend on Saturday Last. Photo: Mail.

Hr.Ms fly camp vessel. Karel Doorman (1948-1968). The new island.

Anefo photo collection. Image of "St. Elisabeth and the Rozenwonder" (from Mari Andriessen) is placed by helicopter at Nieuw St. Elisabeth Gasthuis in Haarlem /. December 7, 1971. Haarlem

The French-built Concorde takes off on a trial flight at Toulouse, France. Dec. 6, 1975.

Railing of Nadars Air balloon from site at Palace for Volksvlijt Amsterdam, September 14, 1865 ..

The Little Joe launch vehicle for the LJ1 mission on the launch pad at the wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia, on January 21, 1960. This mission achieved the suborbital Mercury cupsule test, testing of the escape system, and biomedical tests by using a monkey, named Miss Sam.

This photograph shows the New York 'World' airship - starting from Sportsman's Park, St. Louis at 4:28 p.m. on June 17, 1887 - route to New England or Canada (Atlantic coast). It appeared in St. Nicholas, Volume XV, Part I Nov 1887-Apr 1888.

Anefo photo collection. Image of "St. Elisabeth and the Rozenwonder" (from Mari Andriessen) is placed by helicopter at Nieuw St. Elisabeth Gasthuis in Haarlem /. December 7, 1971. Haarlem

International Airship Exhibition, Frankfurt, 1909: a Zeppelin airship, an aeroplane and two balloons airborne over the exhibition site. Process print.

Anefo photo collection. Airplane disaster Rotterdam, Zestienhoven. December 28, 1962. Rotterdam, South Holland

09/28/1911. Military ballooning in Spain. The airship Spain Making Evolutions. On the Carabanchel road.

Anefo photo collection. Evening balloon competition T.G.V. Lustrum in Leiden. June 18, 1960. Leiden, South Holland

Aerostat. Engraving in 'The Illustration', 1887.

Helicopter Motorcycle In Flight -- The Air Forces' New Helicopter motorcycle, powered by ram jet units to spin the rotor blades, makes a test flight at the St. Louis, Mo., plant of the McDonnel Aircraft corporation. The craft eights only 310 pounds but has lifted an additional load of 300 pounds and moved at a speed of 50 miles an hour. November 15, 1947. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

The Zeppelin L Z 120 in Stolp hangar, Germany, waiting to leave for Italy, from L'Illustrazione Italiana, Year XVLII, No 50, December 12, 1920.

Hubert Latham flying with a monoplane over the field of Chalons, France, photo from L'Illustration, No 3462, July 3, 1909.

Aerostat, 1887. Artist: Gaston Tissandier

'In January 1927, Major Malcolm Campbell in his famous Bluebird broke the world's land speed recor Artist: Unknown.

Telemast in Skogstorp.

Presentation of Vladimir Tatlins Letatlin in Moscow, Anonymous

A Dirigible. Alfred Stieglitz (United States, 1864-1946). United States, 1910, printed 1911. Photographs. Photogravure

11/30/1939. Track Cars That Transport the Juicy Must to the Railway.

German Dornier duck plug with on the tail number 35, possibly during the flight competition held in 1910 on Johannisthal near Berlin.

Wireless Masts & Towers - Radio. July 19, 1949.

Vintage Photograph. Man flying a model plane.

Ascent of M. Poiteven, on Horseback, in a Balloon, from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1850. 'Upwards of 10,000 persons paid for admission...to witness the ascent...It was a matter of considerable difficulty to fill the balloon with gas, owing to the violent wind...it was beaten to and fro...so strongly, that several of the spectators had to assist in holding it...a stout cloth was placed round the body of the horse, and...the animal was attached by cords to the network of the balloon...The aeronaut was dressed as a jockey, and had with him several bottles of wine and some bread....The emotion of t

"Venetian Blind" Plane Of Phillips, 1893 Artist Unknown

The Zeppelin LZ-7 is the first designed to carry passengers, but on its first flight it is forced down by a storm and breaks in two in a forced landing in Teutoberg forest. Date: July 1910

12/31/1919. A funicular installed in a mountainous area.

Anefo photo collection. Tube transport by air per helicopter. Helicopter with the tube. May 24, 1961

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