A mere 12 years separated the first successful powered flight -
achieved by aviation pioneers the Wright brothers on December
17,
1903 - and the development of the first fighter airplanes used in
World War I. Engineers and pilots alike were quick to master
the
basic techniques and main obstacles associated with powered
flight.
Yet, the real boom for the aviation industry occurred during the
war. When the hostilities began, biplanes were mostly used to
observe and monitor enemy positions from the air. At the time,
few
airplanes were fit for bombing and combat, and their
performance was
even further compromised by the weight of heavy fighting
equipment.
All too aware of the risks involved, pilots took to carrying
firearms on board in the event of attack. These exceptionally
brave
men flew highly dangerous missions on planes deprived of
navigational instruments and parachutes. Thanks to their
exploits,
the army recognized the possibilities presented by the airplane.
Months later, development of the military aircraft accelerated
dramatically.
World War I spawned the production of 177,000 biplanes. No
more than
70,000 had been in circulation worldwide prior to the war.
These
airplanes were specifically designed for warfare, and each side
worked relentlessly to improve them. Fighter planes built in
1918
featured two machine guns with timing gears. Capable of flying
three
hours at a time, they could reach altitudes of 20,000 feet (6,096
meters) and speeds up to 125 mph (200 km/h). Fighters like
the
Fokker, Nieuport, Spad, Curtiss JN-3, Jenny and Albatros are
among
those collected by the most ardent of aviation enthusiasts, who
have
meticulously restored them to their original operating
conditions -
to the delight of biplane lovers everywhere!