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Essay on aviation history
Military use of airplanes in ww1
Evolution of aviation industry in world war 1 essay
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Aviation has come a long way since the 19th century, from the Wright brothers taking flight with the first powered and controlled gliders, to aircraft that can travel up to supersonic speeds, orbiting satellites and space stations which then were only thought to be science-fiction. Aerospace and aviation has proven to be one of the biggest challenges to advance in the entirety of human existence. There are many factors and characteristics that contributed to this advancement such as the engines of aircraft, forces of flight, aerodynamic forces, wingspans etc. The two most significant aspects however have been; World War 1 and World War 2. Aviation and flight was thought of as nothing more than a toy World War 1 (WW1). However, this was the first war where aeroplanes were modified and used as weapons by countries to achieve an enormous advantage over their enemies. The first Great War encouraged rapid technological innovation in military aircraft, they quickly changed from their flimsy beginnings as fragile, slow moving gliders (see Fig 1.) into agile deadly fighter jets equipped with advanced weaponry such as missiles and machine guns to this present day. At the start of the war there were massive debates over the usefulness of aircraft in warfare, however, the initial campaigns proved that the cavalry could not provide the reconnaissance that was expected due to the dramatic increase in armour of the 20th century militaries. The development of aircraft was encouraged by the wars requirements, also by the aircraft were used. Many people along with the military believed that aircraft had a wider purpose than just photography from the air the war continued, and throughout this ‘belief’ that the military had two completely different... ... middle of paper ... ...hese two topics, the aspect that influenced the development of the aviation industry was World War 2. World War 2 basically was the basis that sparked the advancement of the aviation industry. Without this event happening the aviation industry would lack the jet-powered engines, radar and advanced navigation systems. The comfort and luxury within the aircraft and the actual design of the airframes on commercial aircraft was inspired by the B-29. Aerospace companies within the United States grew to maturity during the Second World War and piston technology had been broken down nearly to its limits. Being still visible today on its basic structure, have been overlaid the effects of post-war drastic technological improvements. Throughout the midst of 1944 aviation was the largest industry in the world and still is due to the advancements in aircraft during World War 2.
For as long as most of the world can remember aviation has played a major factor in how wars are fought. Starting in World War I the worlds fighting forces began using aircraft to conduct surveillance missions over enemy territory. While these aircraft were not the masters of stealth that todays aircraft are there was no technology to take down these planes at the time. Air-to-air combat was an event that rarely happened and was almost never effective.
In today’s world, the use of airplanes in wars or in everyday life has become a part of how we live as human beings. Removing the air forces of the world is like taking a step back in time when wars were only fought on land or sea. WWI began only eleven short years after the Wright brothers achieved powered flight in 19031 and yet aircrafts were being used for surveillance and eventually combat purposes. It is understood that these aircrafts were primitive, but they laid down the foundation for what we know today as fighter jets. The Fokker Eindecker “revolutionized air combat by successfully employing a synchronized forward -firing machine gun mounted on the engine cowling”2. Because this airplane became the first to successfully use a synchronized machine gun, it allowed its pilots to become the first aerial combat tactitions3.
World War Warfare was one of the greatest examples of technological advancement and strategic challenge, with the introduction of inventions such as the aircraft and the tank the battlefield transformed from attrition as scene in the early years of the war to decisive by the end of the war.
This edu website describes how the impact of invention of the airplane by the wright brothers created a new world of technology. It proves my thesis because it explains how commercial & potential of aviation came to being because of the wright brothers. This is a secondary source because it draws conclusions from primary sources and because it's a review of what happen and what came into being.
The roots of today’s aviation regulations extend back to December 17, 1903 when the Wright Brothers first took to the skies in North Carolina. The Wright Brothers set the stage for aviation regulation. After World War I returning pilots bought some surplus war airplanes and went into business. These pilots were known as the barnstormers. These barnstormers performed acrobatic shows and gave local people rides. During this period of time the public perception of the aviation industry was that of a daredevil or reckless. Aviation took off very slowly because it was too expensive for most consumers. Primarily the wealthy were able to take trips to the East Coast. Uses of aviation included advertising, aerial photography, crop dusting and carrying illegal shipments of alcohol during the prohibition.
But as the war came to an end, so did the need for a flying wing aircraft. Still, Jack Northrop was convinced that...
This paper will briefly discuss or attempt to discuss the evolution of Aerial Reconnaissance. I will talk about what reconnaissance is exactly and why it is important to every aspect of conflicts; before, during and after. Early methods of reconnaissance will be discussed and then lead to how aerial reconnaissance came about. I will talk about what platforms were used for aerial reconnaissance and what their missions were in the beginning. World War I forces aircraft technology to start advancing out of necessity, reconnaissance starts moving further and further out front as capabilities improve. During World War II cameras are being used on aircraft as that technology improves. During World War II we see aerial reconnaissance mainly
Unikoski, Ari. “The War in the Air - Summary of the Air War”. First World War.com. 2009. http://www.firstworldwar.com/airwar/summary.htm
Back in the 1920’s when commercial aviation was a fairly new technology it was a slow business. In the 1930’s, the DC-3 was introduced and the airline industry started to become more profitable. The original DC-1 and its successor the DC-2 were both well known planes during their times. Since Douglas was well known for their prowess in engineering, American A...
World War II was one of the deadliest military conflicts in history. There were many different battles that took place within this war; some more important than others. World War II began once Germany’s new dictator, Adolf Hitler, decided that he wanted to gain power for Germany and for himself. One of Hitler’s first moves in power was invading Poland on September 1, 1939. Many other countries became involved in this war because of the alliance system. The two sides during this war were the Allies and Axis powers. German, Italy and Japan were on the Axis powers; France, Britain, and the United States were on the Allies. Germany first began with the Blitzkrieg tactic meaning “lightning war”. This tactic is based on speed, surprise and was the most popular tactic. It is set up with military forces based around tanks which are supported by planes and infantry. The Blitzkrieg tactic lead to air wars with airplanes between countries. All of the countries were allowed to participate in the air wars but the four main countries were United States, Japan, Britain, and Germany. During the 1920’s and 1930’s airplanes grew in size and structure giving them more power, and making planes more effective. Planes made it easier to drop bombs, or plan attacks. All of these countries fought over air superiority. Air superiority is the position in which the air force has control over all of the air warfare and air power of the opposing forces. Germany began with air superiority but they lost it when Britain defeated them at the Battle of Britain. Gaining control over the air is a very big advantage because it is easier to plan an attack on an opposing country. All of the countries relied on their aircrafts during this war. The issue about the use of...
The March Field Air Museum complimented what we read in our textbooks about the importance of planes in World War I. The textbook states, “Planes began to be constructed to serve various functions: bombers fighters (planes that engage in ‘dogfights’ with other planes), and reconnaissance aircraft” (Brinkley 530). In the museum there was a substantial folder that was suppose to represent a manual that soldiers were suppose to read. The manual helped soldiers get a better understanding of planes. Since aircrafts were becoming more critical it was
World War II, the most dreadful conflict in human history, presented a new way of warfare. With new technological advancements, war was no longer fought on the ground in trenches like the previous World War had primarily done. World War II presented warfare fought immensely in the air, sea, and land as well. Throughout the European and Pacific theatres, Allied and Axis powers both utilized aircraft in bombing, supporting ground troops, and combating other enemy aircraft in air to air dogfights. As the importance of air superiority became apparent to the Allies, a need for a better, more durable aircraft engine was evident. Through the design and implementation of the Merlin engine, the allies were greatly able to turn the tides of the war,
Flight is one of the most important achievements of mankind. We owe this achievement to the invention of the airfoil and understanding the physics that allow it to lift enormous weights into the sky.
Can you imagine a world without airplanes? There would be no fast and convenient way to travel around the world. In fact, the modern airplane is so integrated into our modern and faced-paced society, we would face detrimental problems without them. Thanks to Orville and Wilbur Wright, the invention of the airplane has immensely changed the world as we know it today. The contribution of the airplane makes the Wright brothers two of the most influential people in all of history. In the book The 100: A Ranking of Most Influential People in History, Michael Hart ranked the Wright brothers the 28th most influential people of all time. This ranking is very accurate because Orville and Wilbur Wright have dramatically changed the world in a plethora of different ways. First of all, Orville and Wilbur Wrights development of the airplane has affected the way the world travels around the globe. Next, modern airplanes and fighter jets have remarkably changed the way wars are fought. Also, today’s society has been affected through the massive airplane and air freight industry which adds billions of dollars every year to the world’s economy. Overall, the Wright brothers have irrevocably changed the world in a way that will forever be regarded as one of the most consummate and influential achievements of the 20th Century and all of time.
The history of flying dates back as early as the fifteenth century. A Renaissance man named Leonardo da Vinci introduced a flying machine known as the ornithopter. Da Vinci proposed the idea of a machine that had bird like flying capabilities. Today no ornithopters exist due to the restrictions of humans, and that the ornithopters just aren’t practical. During the eighteenth century a philosopher named Sir George Cayley had practical ideas of modern aircraft. Cayley never really designed any workable aircraft, but had many incredible ideas such as lift, thrust, and rigid wings to provide for lift. In the late nineteenth century the progress of aircraft picks up. Several designers such as Henson and Langley, both paved the way for the early 1900’s aircraft design. Two of the most important people in history of flight were the Wright Brothers. The Wright Brothers were given the nickname the “fathers of the heavier than air flying machine” for their numerous flights at their estate in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Orville and Wilbur Wright created a motor-powered biplane in which they established incredible feats of the time. The Wright Brothers perfected their design of the heavier than air flying ma...