Aviation History

Aviation History Websites

• 33rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Online  Presents the history of the 33rd Photo Recon Squadron which served in Europe with the 9th USAAF during World War II.  Info on the Photo Lightning variant of Lockheed's P-38, combat flight ops of the squadron, and the personnel who served.  Profusely illustrated.
• 1370th Photomapping History  Preserving the history of USAF Aerial Survey & Photomapping from 1945-1973.  Many pictures of people, places, and aircraft from survey sites around the world.
• Aero History  Quite a few text files on different aviation history topics.
• Aerodrome  Covers the history of aviation and aerial combat from the beginnings of powered flight to the dawn of the jet age.  It features texts, photos, and artwork and exists to honor air pioneers and wartime aircrews of all nations.
• The Aerodrome  Aces and aircraft of World War I: aces, aircraft, books, forum, links, medals, T-shirts, related links.
• Aeronautical Systems Center History Office  Provides historical information and related services to the Commander and Staff of ASC: annual histories, monographs, and special studies.  Also, a research collection of historical materials which is available for official researchers (Air Force, Department of Defense, and their contractors).  The site contains information about the Wright Brothers, aviation, online Air Force history books, Wright-Patterson AFB, and aviation photos
• AIAA Wright Flyer Project  Honoring the Wright Brothers by researching, building, testing, and flying replicas of the 1903 Wright Flyer airplane.  The site has photos, essays, technical papers, projects, and future plans.
• Air-Britain International Association of Aviation Historians run by enthusiasts promoting education in aviation subjects, and publishing Air-Britain Digest for members, as well as Air-Britain News, a monthly magazine which records additions and changes in the civil registers of a large number of countries, coverage of military air arms world-wide, airliner changes and production, details of air displays, specialised coverage of business aircraft and details of production and deliveries of aircraft.
• The Airchive  The webseum of commercial aviation.  Timetables and maps, planespotting, memorabilia,
• Air Force Historical Research Agency  The repository of over 70,000,000 pages of Air Force historical documents since World War II providing research facilities for professional military education students, faculty, visiting scholars, and the general public.  Also at http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/afhra/
• The Air Force History Support Office  The AFHSO at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. is responsible for writing books, monographs, studies, and reports to preserve the history of the U.S. Air Force.
• Air Mail Pioneers  Dedicated to the men and women of the U.S. Air Mail Service, an organization that laid the foundation for commercial aviation.  History, profiles, newsletters, museums, links.
• Air Racing History  Compiled by the European Sport Pilot Association.
• Air War Vietnam.Com  This site attempts to give recognition to all of the flying units that flew in, on, or over South East Asia during the Vietnam War.  Flyers and their support personnel are covered.
• The Aircraft Engine Historical Society  A non-profit educational and historical society, open to the public, which fosters an appreciation of the people, art, and science associated with aircraft engine development, manufacture, and use.
• Airline History Archives  History of U.S. commercial airlines no longer in existance, and other airline information.
• American Aviation Historical Society  The AAHS was established to preserve and disseminate the hertiage of American aviation through a collection of books, documents and photographs, a quarterly Journal, and Newsletter.
• The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation  The AAHF seeks to educate the American public to their military heritage through the story of U.S. Army Aviation's soldiers and machines.
• Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms  This comprehensive National Park Service aviation website helps discover the places that reflect the history of American aviation.  Produced by the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places and Regional Offices, in partnership with Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, United States Air Force, U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.
• Aviation in Hampshire UK 1900 to 2000  The aviation history of the county of Hampshire over the past 100 years.
• Aviation History - A Century of Flight  The history of aviation and air racing.
• Aviation History, Australia  Contributions by Australians to world aviation.
• The Aviation History On-Line Museum Historical information about aircraft, airmen, engines, early years, construction, theory, other sites, gift shop.
• Aviation History Webring  Sites dedicated to aviation's great past and the personalities that made it famous.
• Aviation Maintenance Career Commission  It is the AMCC's intent to fully support the Charles Taylor Memorial through a combination of public and private donations.  In addition to fund-raising through the sale of engraved paving bricks, sponsorship is available at several levels, from both private and public sectors.
• Aviation Pioneers : An Anthology  An extensive source of information and links to pages about aviation pioneers, manufacturers, aviators, entertainers, and others.
• Aviation Trail  The Aviation Trail connects 47 historical aviation sites which tell the story of Dayton's and the Miami Valley's significant contributions to flight.
• Aviation Week's The Next Century of Flight  A multi-year, multimedia education program commemorating the technologies, aircraft, and heroes whose extraordinary accomplishments have changed our lives, and those whose pioneering spirit will lead us into the future.
• The Avro Shackleton  Dedicated to the 40 year history of the Avro Shackleton in the Royal Air Force, including specifications, technical data, and graphics.  Compiled over 16 years, it forms a comprehensive all round history.
• Battle-damaged B-17 Flying Fortresses  A photo gallery of B-17 Flying Fortress bombers that managed to get back to their bases despite serious battle damage during WWII.
• Belgian Aviation History Association  A group dedicated to aviation history in Belgium.  Newsletter, membership, other Belgian historical aviation associations, books, aircraft archaeology.
• Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation  A non-profit corporation dedicated to preserving the memory and alliance of the men and women of the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany who conducted the humanitarian event from June 1948 to May 1949.
• Berlin Airlift Historical Society  Dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of the Berlin airlift.
• Black Cat PBY Catalinas  History of U.S. Navy PBY squadrons in the WWII Pacific that painted their Catalina flying boats flat black and attacked Japanese ships at night.
• Boeing: The Wonder of Flight  Explains how things fly (manmade and otherwise, powered and not).  The Century of Discovery page offers a timeline of flight with pictures and information.
• Booksquadron.com  This online company presents a selection of fine and rare materials related to the histories of both commercial and military aviation.
• Cactus Wings  A group of aviation enthusiasts based in Phoenix, Arizona with a mission to promote and preserve photography and the history of aviation in the Desert Southwest.  Although their focus is primarily civil aviation, they are always happy and willing to take on any aviation history project.
• Canadian Aviation Historical Society Dedicated to the preservation of Canada’s flying heritage.  Membership, chapters, Journal, links.
• Catch Our Smile  This website details the history of PSA Pacific Southwest Airlines: photo gallery, memorabilia, history by year.
• Century of Flight  A complete history of aviation from Greek myths to space exploration.
• Chandelle, A Journal of Aviation History  A forum for original essays, reviews, photographs, and artwork related, however loosely, to the less familiar aspects of the history of aviation.  Published on the Web by amateurs for amateurs 3 times a year, and made available for private study without charge.  Also, many links to sites with aviation history content.
• Chasing the Sun  PBS program about the history of commercial aviation.  Website offers an aviation timeline, planes through the years, innovators, companies, TV schedule.
• Check-Six  Tours to some of key sites in the history of aviation, as well as tours of many facilities in the area of Edwards Air Force Base, NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, and the Air Force's Test Pilot School.  The Aero Store offers posters, books, collectibles.
• Cody Flyer Project  This site describes the background and construction progress of a full size replica of British Army Aeroplane No 1A in which Samuel F. Cody recorded the first officially recognised powered flight in the UK which took place on 16 October 1908.  Supporting the celebrations of 100 years of powered flight in the UK, the replica is planned to be on display at the Farnborough International Airshow in July 2008 and will form the centerpiece for centenary celebrations in October 2008.
• The Czechoslovak Air Force in Britain, 1940-1945  A British Ph.D thesis now available as an e-book.
• David's Aviation Site Dedicated to collecting and displaying aviation history and events.
• Days Of Glory And Early Aviation  Aviation history and one mans travel through the early days of aviation.
• Dictatorship of the Air  In addition to information and excerpts from the book "Dictatorship of the Air: Aviation Culture and the Fate of Modern Russia," the web site includes a gallery of rare images of early Soviet aviation posters and a weekly blog devoted to Russian aviation, history, and related matters.
• Doug Betts' Classic Aviation Page Introduction to general aviation in the U.S. with a particular focus on classic airplanes.
• Dutch Historic Aviation Sites  An initiative to connect and list all the Dutch aviation history sites, including Dutch sites about foreign historic aviation and private sites.  Many of the sites listed are in English.
• The Early Birds of Aviation, Inc.  An organization of pioneers who flew solo before December 17, 1916: photos, biographies and history.  Also, a collection of early U.S. flyers who were pioneers, but not members of the Early Bird organization.
• The Evolution of Flight  The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics launched the Evolution of Flight, a campaign to recognize the achievements of the men and women who challenged history and invented the future.  Site offers a history of flight timeline, campaigns, image gallery, interactive and other activities, news.
• FAA History  Historical chronology, past and present administrators, historical publications, enabling legislation.
• First Flight Centennial Foundation  This site includes information about improvements to Wright Brothers National Memorial, event planning and updates for the centennial in NC, official First Flight Centennial merchandise, the monthly Wright Brothers Trivia Challenge, and more.
• Flight-History.com  Dedicated to capturing aviation history.  Archives feature a collection of photographs, stories, and aircraft specifications.  The site includes the aviation artwork of several artists.
• Golden Age of Aviation eZine  Historical short stories with photos and 3-view scale drawings.
• The Helicopter's History Site Historical evolution of helicopters.
• Hikoki: 1946  History and information about the Japanese air arm, including experimental, jet, and rocket aircraft.
• Historic Farnborough  A non-commerical site with Farnborough information, virtual tour, gallery, and other historic content.  They seek photos and memories (particularly those that are aviation-related) to be included on the site and help the home of aviation preserve its history.  All content submissions will be acknowledged.
• Historic Wings  An online aviation magazine featuring stories from the past and present, free Web page and e-mail accounts, forums.
• The Historical Aviation Society Of Ireland  This network of Irish aviation historians tries to help people wanting to find out about Irish aviation history.  They add information and photographs people send in for non-profit reasons, and they tell the Irish public all about past Irish aviation matters.
• The History of Air Racing  A complete history of air racing from Reims to the present.
• History of Aviation Special Collections and Archives Wright State University Libraries special collections.
• The History Channel  Try aviation keywords in the search box.
• The History of Flight  A very complete history of aviation
• Holcomb's Aerodrome  This page details selected pioneer era, great war, and golden age aircraft.  The links section presents an outstanding selection of aviation history links.
• The Ivan Smirnoff Page  The famous aviator Ivan Smirnoff participated in both WW I and WW II.  After 1918 he joined the KLM team and served as captain in the fleet until he retired on the Island of Majorca.  36 pages about his entire life with pictures and maps and links.
• Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives, Inc.  Information about the man, photos and memoribilia, Sikorsky products, biographies, Sikorsky locations, and commentaries.
• The A.J. Jackson Collection  A private British aviation history archive and photographic collection containing almost 30,000 negatives and several tens of thousands of prints.  The focus is on British civil aviation during the years 1919 to 1960 but there are also details and photographs of many foreign, commonwealth and military aircraft.
• Koolhoven Aeroplanes Foundation  Preserving the work of the Dutch airplane constructor Frederick Koolhoven (1886-1946) who designed the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8, the B.A.T. F.K.26 (the world's first airliner) and others.
• Lady Be Good  The story of the 1959-60 search for the B-24 Bomber Lady Be Good, discovered in the Libyan Desert 16 years after it lost its way back from a World War II mission to bomb Naples, Italy on 4 April 1943.
• Latin American Aviation Historical Society  Dedicated to the preservation of Latin American aviation heritage.  Historical feature articles, preservation projects, discussion board, columns.
• Latvian Aircraft  Dedicated to the history of the early years of Latvian aviation.  All about the aircraft, the pilots, the events, and photos.
• Lufthansa -- Journey into the past  In celebration of its 75th anniversary, Lufthansa provides this historical chronicle.
• Marina Raskova and the Soviet Women Pilots of World War II  An extensive history with photos and links.
• Marshall Stelzriede's Wartime Story  A Website about the experiences of a navigator in the WW2 European Theater with the Eighth Air Force, 96th Heavy Bomb Group, 338th Squadron, and later with the 27th Air Transport Group, 87th Squadron.  Personal journals provide an interesting insight into life in wartime Europe.
• Jay Miller Aviation History Collection  Aerospace Branch Library, Aerospace Education Center Complex, Central Arkansas Library System.  Aviation and aerospace reference library with 6000 books, 50,000 journals and magazines, manuscripts, photogtaphs.
• The National Aviation Hall of Fame  The NAHF nominates and enshrines individuals in recognition of achievement in the development of aviation.  Located adjacent to the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio with 13,000 square feet of exhibit area, a virtual tour of America's air and space heritage, a who's who of daring and achievement, seven galleries focused on a particular era of aviation.  The Harry B. Combs Resource Lab offers visitors interactive computer kiosks where they can delve deeper into the biographical information and photos found among the displays and hands-on exhibits.
• The Naval Air War In The Pacific  Visual history of U.S. Navy and Marine air units in WWII Pacific.  Includes photos, paintings, and text covering the men, aircraft, carriers, tactics, and battles.
• Naval Historical Center Naval aviation history and news.
• Official Amelia Earhart Web site  News, biography, achievements, quotes, downloads, events, store, and rare photos.
• PanAmAir.org  Dedicated to preserving the history of Pan American World Airways: aircraft, history, accidents, memorabilia, downloads, merchandise.
• Panzermuseum.Com  Information on the captured German war records collection at the US National Archives, which covers all branches of the military - including the Luftwaffe - and the ministries of the Third Reich.
• Parachute History  History of parachutes and skydiving.
• Pioneer Pilot, Walter E. Lees 1887-1957 Collection of photos, clippings and journals mostly from the book "Pioneer Pilot" edited by his daughter.
• Plane Writing A site built around writings and biographies of vintage pilots.
• The Planes on Pedestals  A collection of over 100 photos of airforce and civilian aircraft found on pedestals across Canada.
• The P&W Story  A timeline history.
• rocket.aero  Films and DVDs highlighting little known chapters in aerospace history from materials unearthed from the National Archives, NASA, and military sources.  Source films are transferred to digital.  In most cases, they're using film that hasn't been seen in years, and in some cases it's never been seen before by the public.  If you're an historian, a model builder, or an aerospace enthusiast, you'll find something exciting here.  Podcasts created from DVD and other content are available for download.
• Ruud's Classic Airliners  Aviation history and photography by Ruud Leeuw.
• Small Air Forces Clearing House  The SAFCH encourages international cooperation in researching aviation history, both military and civil, from all periods of time, and for all the smaller countries.
• The Spitfire Archives  An online source of stories, history, facts and other information about the aircraft of World War Two and those who made and flew them, with a special emphasis on Canadian achievements.
• Spotter Cards and Military History Archive  This was initially created as a site specifically about "spotter cards" .. used during wartime to help the public and the military quickly identify aircraft and ships.  The theme was expanded to cover a wider arena of relevant military history and battlefield archaeology and artifacts.
• Stichting Fokker Four  De stichting Fokker Four geeft met een formatie van vier historische Fokker S-11 Instructor vliegtuigen demonstraties op luchtvaartevenementen in binnen- en buitenland. Ook kunt U met ons meevliegen of ons inhuren voor clinics in formatievliegen en aerobatics.
• Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines Dedicated to the pioneers of the early days of heavier than air flight in the years before World War One.
• A Tribute to the Cactus Air Force  All about the U.S. Marine, Navy, and Army Air Corps pilots who defended Guadalcanal in 1942 (World War II).  Includes: history, photos, paintings, references.
• Twin City Aero Historians A chapter of the American Aviation Historical Society.  Museums, articles, links, photo files.
• Vic's Aviation History Site  Book reviews, photos, historic accident reports, links.
• Vintage Aviation: The History of Gee Bee Aircraft  GeeBee information from "The Golden Age of Air Racing."
• Vintage Ultralight & Lightplane Association  Dedicated to recording the significant details of ultralight aircraft evolution.
• The Warbird's Forum  Over 500 pages with history, facts, and information about America's war on terrorism, the AVG Flying Tigers, the Brewster Buffalo, Imperial Japan, the Vietnam War, and the Piper Cub.
• WASP-WWII A Tribute to the Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII.  Convention, chat, tributes, pictures, stories, links, posters, songs.
• Gustave A. Whitehead  Resume, history, research, museum, books and films.
• [The Pioneers : An Anthology :] Gustave Albin Whitehead  This site celebrates the life and history of Gustave Albin Whitehead (1874 - 1927).
• Wilexa.com  Unofficial Photo diary of the demolition and renewal of much of the historic Douglas Aircraft (now Boeing) factory in Long Beach, California.  Also includes historic photos and documents from the Douglas Aircraft Company and its contemporaries.
• Wings of History, the Air Museums of Europe  Tells the story of aviation in Europe through the historic aircraft that still exist in museums and collections.
• John Howard Worsley  Original paintings and stories of Spitfires, Messerschmitts and wartime incidents on the Isle of Wight.

Charles A. Lindbergh

• The C.A.L./N-X-211 Collectors Society  The Society serves as a forum for all persons wishing to learn more about Charles A. Lindbergh and his aircraft, licensed as N-X-211.  Anyone wishing to learn more about the memorabilia associated with the flight from New York to Paris is invited to contact the Society.
• The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation  Honoring the Lindberghs' legacy and furthering their shared vision of a technology/nature balance.
• Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site  Tour the home with original furnishings and possessions, see the visitor center, step inside a full-scale replica of the Spirit of St. Louis cockpit and envision flying across the Atlantic.  Hundreds of photographs and artifacts.
• Lindbergh Spirit 75th Anniversary website  Information about Charles Lindbergh and his historic flight: events, history, kids only, store.
• The Little Falls Fresco Project  Artist Charles Kapsner created a 18' x 41' fresco entitled "Beginnings" that depicts the life and philosophy of Charles Lindbergh.

The Wright Brothers Centennial of Flight

• Altitude is Everything (AiE)  The Canadian Celebration of the Centenary.
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics  In commemoration of the approaching 100th anniversary of flight, AIAA launched the Evolution of Flight, a campaign to recognize the men and women who have challenged history and defined aerospace achievement.  Includes history of flight timeline from around the world.
• Aviation Week's Next Century of Flight  Next century of flight news and views, theory of flight classroom program, related information.
• Centennial of Flight: Rediscovering the Challenges of Flight  A NASA Quest educational site.
• The Centennial of Flight: Rediscovering the Challenges of Flight  Educator resources concerning the history of aviation technology and the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers first flight.
• Countdown to Kitty Hawk  EAA's Countdown to Kitty Hawk series of celebrations will mark the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' achievement.  The centerpiece of this celebration will be the flight of a new 2003 Wright Flyer at Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Dec. 17, 2003.
• Curtiss-Wright Corporation - Centennial Celebration of Flight  Information on upcoming events.
• First Flight Centennial Commission North Carolina  Mandated to develop and plan activities to commemorate the centennial of the first flight and other historical events related to the development of powered flight.
• First Flight Centennial Foundation  This site includes information about improvements to Wright Brothers National Memorial, event planning and updates for the centennial in NC, official First Flight Centennial merchandise, the monthly Wright Brothers Trivia Challenge, and more.
• The First Flight Society  Formed in 1926 by a group of North Carolina Outer Bankers, group dedicated themselves to preserving the original site of the Wright Brothers' first flights of December 17, 1903.
• The Flight Centennial Collection  Commissions and sale of fine art.
• The Flight Experience  Use this web site to to find out more about the centennial of flight and the many events organised to celebrate it.
• International Symposium and Exposition in Celebration of 100 years of powered Flight, Dayton, OH.  National Aviation Hall of Fame Dinner.  Join Aviation Week in honoring heroes of the past along with new inductees.  July 14-17, 2003.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator Century of Flight  Fly the Wright Flyer and 8 other historic airplanes.
• National Air Tour  The Aviation Foundation of America is sponsoring the re-creation of the 1925-1931 National Air Tours in 2003 in celebration of the centennial of powered flight.  The 4,000-mile tour the path of the uncompleted tour with 25 vintage aircraft landing in more than two-dozen cities.
• Outer Banks  The Outer Banks site provides information about the 2003 Celebration of Flight.
• Re-Living the Wright Way  This NASA site offers lesson plans, simulations, activities, CD-ROMs, history, information, photo gallery, calendar, and other resources.
• Spacelink - The Wright Brothers  NASA site with links to resources about the Wright Brothers flight.
• To Fly is Everything...  A virtual museum covering the invention of the airplane.
• U.S. Centennial of Flight Home Page  Created by the U.S. Congress in 1999 to serve as a national and international source of information about activities to commemorate the centennial of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903.  Events calendar, images, essays, links, Kids' Fly Zone where students of all ages can examine how our world has changed as a result of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight on December 17, 1903.
• Wright Again  History, information, lesson plans, computer simulations, and lots of interesting resources.
• Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company and Museum of Pioneer Aviation Home Page  An online museum of the Wright brothers, including a biography of Wilbur and Orville Wright, the history of the invention of the airplane and early aviation, descriptions of aviation museums and monuments to aviation history, educational activities that teach aeronautics and history, and information on antique aircraft replicas and reproductions such as the 1902 Wright Glider, the 1903 Wright Flyer 1, and the 1905 Wright Flyer 3.
• Wright Brothers Memorial  Wright Brothers photographs and links to other information.
• Wright Brothers National Memorial and Visitors Center
• Wright Brothers Papers  15,100 pages of Wright Brothers papers.  Documents include: correspondence, diaries, notebooks, drawings, printed matter, legal documents, and other documents ranging from 1881 to 1952.
• Wright Brothers Photography  302 photographs, mostly taken by Wilbur or Orville Wright between 1896 and 1911.  The photos document their successes and failures, and provide a pictorial record of the Wright Brothers' laboratory, engines, models, experimental planes, runways, flights, and even their accidents.
• The Wright Experience  Seeking to preserve the legacy of the Wright Brothers and other early aviators and aircraft inventors: their experimentation, discovery, and methodology.  Also to create a living classroom that provides inspirational examples of innovation and discovery for school children and people of all ages, and to provide for the remanufacture of original Wright Brothers aircraft.
• WrightFlight.us  Quality 12x16" restored archival Wright Brothers photographs for sale.
• The "Wright" Stuff  The FAA site celebrating the anniversary.
• Yahoo! Directory  Home > Recreation > Aviation > Events > First Flight Centennial.  Links to related sites.