Gyro Style Plane

OK, we learned yesterday that some segment of our viewership was more interested in pilots than aircraft. The request was made to see planes with pilots. So here you go, right from 1911.

Airmail

Today's picture was taken in 1938, and it shows an auto gyro landing at the US Capitol. The auto gyro is powered by a frontward pointing traditional propeller. The upper propeller serves as the wing of the craft. The aircraft was capable of fairly short takeoffs and landings. In this picture, the auto gyro was being evaluated for use as a carrier of airmail.

Early Helicopter

Today's picture is from 1923, and it shows an early attempt at a helicopter. It looks like it has 4 fan like propellers pointed upward. I am not sure how successful it was, but it does  look like like it is a foot or so off the ground in the picture.

Hydroplane Prototype

Today's picture shows Wilbur Wright and an early attempt he made to create a hydroplane. You can see he mounted his airplane on a canoe. The picture was taken in 1909. It is amazing how quickly things moved and evolved in the early days of aviation.

Fabre Hydroplane

This picture from 1911 shows the Fabre Hydroplane, designed to take off and land on water. All I know is the guy in the boat is going to have to row a lot faster if they ever hope to get this thing in the air.


Hope you all have a Blessed Thanksgiving.

Pilot

This is a picture of Clarence Culver at the controls of a biplane. Clarence was in the army, and was in charge of getting radios to work in airplanes. Note the microphone in the picture. I would think wind noise would be a little bit of an issue in an open cockpit airplane like this.

Twining Ornithopter

Today we feature a picture of the Twining Ornithopter during attempted takeoff. Don't you wish just one of these old flapping wing type flying machines had worked? I think no one has yet been successful in flying any type of flapping wing device.

Bleriot Airplane

Today's picture shows a Bleriot airplane. The picture was taken in 1911. It is amazing how quickly airplanes became popular after the Wright's first flight. The picture shows Murvin Wood, an early pilot, in front of the plane.

Army Aviators

This week we will explore the early days of Aviation. We start with this picture taken in 1912. The photo was taken at the Army Aviation Field near Washington DC. I was surprised to find that the Army had started considering use of airplanes at such an early date. Pictured are Mr. Geiger and Mr. Milling. The early days of aviation must have been very exciting.