7 planes that changed aviation history

1. Wright Flyer made the first human flight

The most important aircraft of all time was the “Wright Flyer” or “Kitty Hawk” of 1903. Developed in the opening years of the 20th century, this aircraft completed the world’s first continuous flight. world by manned and controllable heavier-than-air powered machines. During the historic event, the vehicle flew 36.5 m and reached a maximum speed of 10.94 km/h. The extraordinary achievement took place on December 17, 1903, marking one of the most pivotal technical developments in human history.

Quite primitive compared to modern aircraft, the Wright Flyer is powered by a 9 kW gasoline engine. This engine rotates a pair of wooden thrusters hand-hewn by the Wright brothers. The wings and body of the plane are made from wood and canvas, without any moving surfaces on the wings for ease of movement and direction. The Wright Brothers conducted four flights in what is now Kill Devil Hills, about 6 km south of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. On its fourth and final flight, the plane flew 260 m but was damaged on landing. Not long after, it was destroyed by strong winds that caused the vehicle to overturn.

2. Spirit of St. Louis completed the first transatlantic flight

After the Wright brothers’ pioneering experiments, the world of aviation exploded, changing many aspects of life forever. One of the next great achievements was the world’s first transatlantic flight by Charles Lindbergh. Flying solo in 1927 aboard the Spirit of St. Louis, this achievement proved to the world that long-haul aviation was feasible. The plane was built specifically for the mission, equipped with one engine and only one seat.

The high-wing aircraft model (located on the upper side of the fuselage) first took off in May 1927. Lindbergh and his plane departed from Long Island, New York and landed in Paris, France, after 33 hours and 30 minutes. The vehicle flew 5,800 km and Lindbergh received the Orteig award worth $25,000, equivalent to about $453,295 today. The event also inspired many aircraft manufacturers and pilots, leading to the birth of modern commercial aviation.

3. Douglas DC-3: the world’s first commercial aircraft

Inspired by Lindbergh’s achievements and the Spirit of St. Louis, the Douglas Aircraft Company designed the world’s first commercial airliner. Designated the DC-3, the aircraft operated throughout the 1930s and 1940s in commercial and military service. Initially developed as a 14-seat version of its predecessor, the DC-3 shocked the aviation industry. Using powerful engines, the DC-3 has a cruise speed of 333 km/h and can carry 21 – 32 passengers.

The vehicle has a total range of 2,400 km and can operate from short runways. However, the most outstanding features of the aircraft’s design are its relative speed, reliability and comfort. The DC-3 pioneered many air routes, becoming the first aircraft to profitably transport long-haul passengers.

4. De Havilland 82 Queen Bee: the world’s first drone

Drones revolutionize the aviation industry, marking a pivotal shift towards unmanned systems. From military applications like the MQ-9 Reaper in reconnaissance and precision attack to civilian applications in transportation, agriculture and natural disaster response, drones demonstrate the evolution of automation and flexibility in the industry. air. Its emergence shaped the future of aerospace and transformed industries globally. But all those advances wouldn’t exist without the Havilland DH82B Queen Bee. This is the world’s first reusable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

A low-cost radio-controlled drone, Queen Bee is designed to train anti-aircraft gunners. Based on the Tiger Moth, this aircraft flew in 1935 and 412 were built between 1935 and 1943. The Queen Bee served as a target drone in the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy until its discontinuation. operational in 1947.

5. ME-262: the world’s first operational jet aircraft

Developed at the beginning of World War II, the Messerschmitt Me-262 only actually entered combat in the last months of 1944. Equipped with two Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet engines, the Me-262 operated as a fighter aircraft. bomber and reconnaissance aircraft during its short service life. During its first months of operation, the Me-262 proved its worth, downing many Allied aircraft.

However, despite the advantages of piston-engined aircraft of the time, the Me-262 was not invincible. Allied pilots quickly developed tactics to neutralize it. The Me-262 was hit hard by reliability issues and low production numbers, meaning the vehicle had little impact on combat outcomes. After World War II, Me-262s were used to develop many other jet-powered aircraft around the world.

6. Bell X-1: the first aircraft to break the sound barrier

The 1940s saw the first time the sound barrier was broken by the Bell X-1. Under the control of pilot Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager of the US Air Force, the plane reached a speed of 1,127 km/h (Mach 1.06) at an altitude of 13,000 m on October 14, 1947, proving that it could reach supersonic speed. The Bell X-1 used a rocket engine and later versions flew even faster, with the Bell X-1A surpassing 2,600 km/h in 1954.

The Bell X-1 and many other X-series aircraft paved the way for the world’s first and only operational supersonic airliner, Concorde.

7. Space Shuttle: the world’s first reusable space plane

The space shuttle has been used to transport astronauts and cargo into orbit for several decades. The space shuttle launches into orbit on the back of a large booster rocket and performs missions in Earth’s orbit before reentering the atmosphere and landing like a conventional aircraft. This spaceplane contributed to the advancement of aviation exploration and satellite transportation until it was decommissioned after a series of high-profile accidents.