Aviation Pioneer Collection

Robertsons Minerve balloon, 1804
Robertsons Minerve balloon. Historical artwork of La Minerve, an extravagant balloon design proposed in 1804 by the French engineer E. G. Robertson

Portrait of Charles Chuck Yeager, American pilot

Royal Vauxhall pre-flight consultation. Historical artwork depicting a meeting held prior to the flight of the Royal Vauxhall in 1836

Jakob Degen's Ornithopter
5307585 Jakob Degen's Ornithopter.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Jakob Degen's Ornithopter. Two flaps were fastened to his back by a yoke)

David Schwarz's aluminium airship
3732592 David Schwarz's aluminium airship; (add.info.: Engraving depicting David Schwarz's aluminium airship, the first metal airship)

David Schwarz's aluminium airship
3732591 David Schwarz's aluminium airship; (add.info.: Engraving depicting David Schwarz's aluminium airship, the first metal airship)

Henri Farman (1874-1958) at Issy-les-Moulineaux in his plane the Voisin-Farman 1
CHT216768 Henri Farman (1874-1958) at Issy-les-Moulineaux in his plane the Voisin-Farman 1, illustration from Le Pelerin November 1907 (colour litho) by Damblans

Henri Farman (1874-1958) at Issy-les-Moulineaux in his plane the Voisin-Farman 1
CHT233791 Henri Farman (1874-1958) at Issy-les-Moulineaux in his plane the Voisin-Farman 1, 1907 (photolitho) (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs

Wilbur Wright showing the King of Spain how is plane operates, from Petit Journal pub. March 1909 (colour lithograph). Wilbur Wright (1867-1912); King Alfonso XIII (1886-1941);

Wiley Post, left and Harold Gatty, seen here in 1931. Wiley Hardeman Post, 1898 - 1935. American aviator, the first pilot to fly solo around the world. Harold Charles Gatty, 1903 - 1957

EDITORIAL Four famous women pilots, seen here at the Royal Aero Club, 1932. Dame Mary Bailey, Lady Bailey, 1890 - 1960, nee Westenra. Irish aviator

Engraving depicting Jakob Degens Ornithopter, 19th century
Engraving depicting Jakob Degens Ornithopter

Gusmaos Passarola airship, 1709
Gusmaos Passarola airship. Historical artwork of the Passarola airship design that was proposed in 1709 by the Portuguese priest and naturalist Bartolomeu de Gusmao (1685-1724)

Jacques Charles, French balloonist
Jacques Alexandre Cesar Charles (1746-1823), French chemist, physicist and aeronaut, historical artwork. A scientist and professor of physics

Farman aeroplane, 1909 C016 / 4517
Farman aeroplane in flight. The Farman planes were designed and built in France by the Farman brothers Henry and Maurice. Henry Farman bought one of the first commercially sold aeroplanes in 1907

First parachute descent, 1797
First parachute descent, made by the French balloonist Andre Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823), in Mousseuax Park, Paris, France, on 22 October 1797

Farman aeroplane, 1909
Farman aeroplane in flight, being waved and cheered aloft by two spectators. The Farman planes were designed and built in France by the Farman brothers Henry and Maurice

Delagranges aeroplane. This early biplane model is being flown by the French aviator Leon Delagrange (1872-1910). Delagrange first flew in 1907

Early balloon accident, 1784
Early balloon accident. Fishermen rescuing the French balloonist Jules Durouf (1841-1898) and his wife Caroline Durouf (1845-1933) from their balloon Le Tricolore

Zenith balloon ascent, 1875
Zenith balloon ascent. Coloured historical artwork of the 1875 Zenith flight. Journalist Joseph Eustache Croce-Spinelli (1845-1875), naval officer Henri Theodore Sivel (1834-1875)

First overnight balloon flight, 1836
First overnight balloon flight. Historical artwork of the first overnight balloon flight, which used coal gas and took place from 7-8 November 1836

Early balloon flight, 1802
Early balloon flight. Spectators watching French balloonist Jeanne-Genevieve Garnerin (born 1779) ascending in a balloon on 28 March 1802

Garnerins parachute design, 1797
Garnerins parachute design. This is the design for the first parachute of the French balloonist Andre Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823), and includes a scale

Berliner helicopter, 1922
Berliner helicopter. This helicopter was invented by the German Emile Berliner (1851-1929), possibly as early as 1909. By 1922, he and his son Henry Berliner (1895-1970, born in the USA)

Early hot air balloon design, 1783
Early hot air balloon design. Design for a balloon with two men in the basket steering it by manipulation of a sail. A ladder connects the balloon to a parachute-style apparatus for safe descent in

Cayleys aerial carriage, 1843
Cayleys aerial carriage. Design for an aerial carriage, published in 1843 by the British engineer George Cayley (1773-1857)

English Channel balloon crossing, 1785
English Channel balloon crossing. French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard (1753-1809) and US surgeon John Jefferies (1745-1819) arriving in Calais, France

Lana Terzis airship, 17th century
Lana Terzis airship. Historical artwork of the airship design proposed by the Italian priest and mathematics and physics professor Francesco Lana Terzi (1631-1687)

Roland Garros, French aviator
Roland Garros (1888-1918), French aviator, standing in an aircraft. Garros began flying in 1909, and in 1913 he achieved fame when he made the first non-stop flight across the Mediterranean Sea

A. Mozhayskiy, Russian aviation pioneer
Alexander Fedorovich Mozhayskiy (1825-1890), Russian aviation pioneer and naval officer. Mozhayskiy pioneered heavier-then-air flight in the 1880s

Charles Green, British balloonist
Charles Green (1785-1870), British balloonist. Green first ascended in a balloon on 19 July 1821. Between 1821 and 1852, he made 526 ascents

Wright brothers, US aviation pioneers. Wilbur (1867-1912, right) and Orville (1871-1948, left) built and flew the first powered aircraft

Charles Renard, French engineer
Charles Renard (1847-1905), French military engineer and aviation pioneer. Renard began his work on aircraft after the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

Clement Ader, French engineer
Clement Ader (1841-1926), French engineer and aviation pioneer. Aders early career was spent inventing numerous electrical and mechanical devices

Sir George Cayley, British engineer
Sir George Cayley (1773-1857), British engineer, aviation pioneer, and 6th Baronet of Brompton (from 1792). Cayley spent most of his life on the study of flight, carrying out his own experiments

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Aviation Pioneer: A Journey Through Time From the daring exploits of early balloonists to the groundbreaking achievements of fearless aviators, the world of aviation has been shaped by pioneers who pushed boundaries and defied gravity. In 1804, Robertsons Minerve balloon took flight, marking a significant milestone in aviation history. This remarkable feat paved the way for future adventurers to conquer the skies. One such adventurer was Charles "Chuck" Yeager, an American pilot whose portrait captures his unwavering determination and courage. Yeager's name became synonymous with breaking barriers as he shattered the sound barrier in 1947. Pre-flight consultations were crucial for pilots like those at Royal Vauxhall, ensuring meticulous planning before taking to the skies. These discussions allowed them to navigate challenges and ensure safe journeys for themselves and their passengers. Henri Farman played a pivotal role in aviation advancements with his Voisin-Farman 1 plane. At Issy-les-Moulineaux, Farman showcased his innovative aircraft that propelled him into history books as one of the great pioneers of flight. Wilbur Wright demonstrated his revolutionary flying machine to none other than King Alfonso XIII of Spain. This iconic moment captured Wright's dedication to sharing his knowledge and passion for aviation with leaders around the world. Wiley Post and Harold Gatty embarked on an extraordinary journey in 1931 when they became the first duo to circumnavigate the globe solo. Their achievement not only showcased their skill but also highlighted how collaboration between aviators could lead to groundbreaking accomplishments. The Royal Aero Club witnessed four remarkable women pilots making their mark in a male-dominated field during 1932. Dame Mary Bailey, Amelia Earhart, Amy Johnson, and Winifred Spooner shattered glass ceilings as they fearlessly soared through uncharted territories. Looking back further into history reveals Jakob Degen's Ornithopter from centuries ago – an engraving depicting his visionary flying machine.