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Long before jet engines and pressurized cabins, flying was a daredevil's game! These remarkable photographs from aviation's earliest days showcase a time when planes were made of wood, fabric, and pure courage. From the Wright brothers' first tentative hops to the brave barnstormers and World War I flying aces, these images capture an era when taking to the skies was considered nearly magical. Back then, just seeing one of these contraptions overhead would bring entire towns to a standstill. Grab your leather helmet and goggles as we journey back to when humans first conquered gravity with these incredible flying machines!

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    #2

    Air Force Soldier In Front Of A Fighter Plane At The Air Force Test Center, 1964

    Vintage plane on tarmac with technicians performing maintenance, showcasing the magic of aviation history and technology.

    Svenska Dagbladet via IMS Vintage Photos Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I believe it's a Saab 35 Draken. The pilot has just taken off the air intakes for the engines.

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    #4

    Old Water Plane Aircraft, "Fws Grumman Goose N789"

    Vintage plane with twin propellers resting on water near a forest, capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Greany, J Malcolm, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jim King Collection Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Manufactured in 1944 and transferred to Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in 1956. Still flying today! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG21lXdAIks

    #5

    Maughan's Curtiss Pursuit Plane, Between Ca. 1920 And Ca. 1925

    Vintage plane on snowy ground showing classic design and capturing the magic of aviation history and early flight.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #6

    British Handley Page, Between Ca. 1915 And Ca. 1920

    Vintage photo of an early biplane with crew members standing nearby, capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    James Evans
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The open area in the nose is an observer's area. The pilot and co-pilot cockpit area is obscured by the right-side engine.

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    #7

    Interceptor Plane, Lake Muroc, California, 1942

    Vintage photo of a military plane on runway with crew inspecting and performing maintenance, capturing the magic of aviation.

    Library of Congress Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Otherwise known as a P-38F (correct me on this if needed) Lightning. The type of plane that shot down General Yamamoto in 1943.

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    #8

    Native Alaskan Children In Front Of Small Plane On Skiis, Village Of Kaltag, On The Yukon River, 1954

    Group of children and adults standing in snow near a vintage plane, capturing the magic of aviation history.

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jim King Collection Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    From the US Department of the Interior. Probably flying in supplies, medicine, or other materials and can only land on skis.

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    #9

    Navy Boeing Patrol Plane Pb - 1, 1925

    Vintage black and white photo of a U.S. Navy seaplane flying over the ocean, showcasing classic aviation history and planes.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #11

    Camel & Plane

    Vintage plane with biplane design on a vast open field, showcasing the magic of early aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A mail plane! Here's its long journey from England to South Africa: https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/g-aaxf/

    #12

    Hydro-Plane, Between Ca. 1915 And Ca. 1920

    Vintage photo of an early seaplane on a dock illustrating the magic of aviation history by the water.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #13

    Army Photo, Planes, Between Ca. 1915 And Ca. 1920

    Three men standing beside and inside vintage planes lined up on an airfield, capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #14

    Airplane Of Aviator Harry Nelson Atwood Rising, Between Ca. 1910 And Ca. 1915

    Vintage photo of an early plane model in flight, capturing the magic of aviation with historic aircraft design.

    Library of Congress Report

    #15

    Christmas Plane, Between Ca. 1915 And Ca. 1920

    Vintage plane with wooden body and fabric wings resting on grass, showcasing early aviation design and technology.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #16

    "Looping" Airplane Flown By A Marine At The Marine Flying Field, Miami, Florida During World War I, 1918

    Vintage photo of a biplane in flight showcasing the early magic of aviation during historic aviation times.

    Library of Congress Report

    #17

    A Sample Of The New Swedish Fighter Plane "Dragon", 1960

    Vintage plane taking off from runway, showcasing classic aviation design and technology in black and white photo.

    Svenska Dagbladet via IMS Vintage Photos Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same plane model as in the "Air Force Soldier In Front Of A Fighter Plane At The Air Force Test Center, 1964" picture

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    #20

    Lot Plane Arriving At Lydda Air Port, Between 1934 And 1939

    Vintage black and white photo of a vintage plane on runway with ground crew capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Polish Airlines (Polskie Linie Lotnicze - LOT); this particular model crashed in 1960 with minimal damage and no fatalities flying for Hungarian airlines. https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/173873

    #21

    Mummert Plane, Between Ca. 1920 And Ca. 1925,

    Man standing beside a vintage plane on an open field, capturing the magic of aviation in early flight history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A small propeller like that powered by a two-cylinder engine must have required a long runway for takeoff

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    #22

    Ba's New Fast Plane "Lockheed 14" At Bromma, 1938

    Black and white vintage photo of a British Airways plane on the ground, capturing the magic of aviation history.

    IMS Vintage Photos Report

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    Gossameringue
    Community Member
    1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A Lockheed Electra 14, the successor to the 10E that Earhart flew and disappeared in. This particular model lasted only about a year before suffering an engine fire and being totaled.

    #23

    Douglas World Cuiser Plane, Around 1923

    Vintage black and white photo of a biplane aircraft on grass capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #25

    Wright Brothers Airplane, Etc. Type A Plane At Fort Myer, 1909

    Vintage plane flying low over a crowd during an early aviation event capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #26

    Michael Effimoff Seated In Flying Costume In A Primitive Plane, Around 1910

    Vintage photo of a pilot seated in an early plane, capturing the magic of aviation history and aircraft design.

    Library of Congress Report

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    #27

    Wright Aeroplane On Starting Track, Ca. 1909

    Vintage photo of an early plane on a dirt runway with spectators in stands, capturing the magic of aviation history.

    Library of Congress Report

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    sofacushionfort
    Community Member
    1 week ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A baby born that day wouldn’t be eligible for Social Security before man walked on the moon