For all the Naval aviators and those that love anything to do with planes and ships

[Smithy]

This was the start of it all.

109 years ago today Mr Eugene Burton Ely launched himself off the deck of a ship in an aircraft. It was the first time man had done such a thing. So next time you're watching a Hornet or something equally high tech blast off from the deck of a carrier, spare a thought for Eugene, it's because of him they're doing that.

 

[B-Man2]

Now that's a ballsy guy!

 

[Silver Surfer]

toothpicks, cloth and a lawn mower motor. balls to the wall.

 

[Skyhawk]

Awesome. Consider the amazing fact that just 12-15 years later they were flying these off of carriers:

Regards,
Jay

 

[B-Man2]

Amazing history

 

[Kennyz]

Thanks Smithy, very interesting. I looked Eugene Burton Ely up, and he was also the first to aviator to make a successful shipboard landing of an aircraft - and on that flight the first to use a Tailhook system.

He was killed in a plane crash at 24 years of age. A brave man, and a true aviation pioneer.

This was the start of it all.

109 years ago today Mr Eugene Burton Ely launched himself off the deck of a ship in an aircraft. It was the first time man had done such a thing. So next time you're watching a Hornet or something equally high tech blast off from the deck of a carrier, spare a thought for Eugene, it's because of him they're doing that.

 

[Smithy]

Awesome. Consider the amazing fact that just 12-15 years later they were flying these off of carriers:
View attachment 27065

Regards,
Jay

It is remarkable how quickly aviation developed, just look at the development of military aviation (and tactics in the use of military aviation for that matter) in 4 years from 1914 to 1918, absolutely incredible.

 

[Flightengineer]

It is remarkable how quickly aviation developed, just look at the development of military aviation (and tactics in the use of military aviation for that matter) in 4 years from 1914 to 1918, absolutely incredible.

Nothing has evolved so fast as aviation at XX century.
Only 58 years have passed from the moment of the first take-off of the Flyer t to the take-off of Gagarin. During of the life of one generation.
But in 70s-80s all slowed down ... and today we fly almost on the same planes as 50 years ago (I mean the principles of flight). Yes, the level of computerization has increased and engines have become more economical ... but nothing more.

 

[Griffon_301]

Nothing has evolved so fast as aviation at XX century.
Only 58 years have passed from the moment of the first take-off of the Flyer t to the take-off of Gagarin. During of the life of one generation.
But in 70s-80s all slowed down ... and today we fly almost on the same planes as 50 years ago (I mean the principles of flight). Yes, the level of computerization has increased and engines have become more economical ... but nothing more.

I think that's the normal run of civilization and technological evolution...first it was the world wars and the cold war that fuelled the machine of technological advance...nowadays we are mostly content with what we have achieved and only fine-tune bits and pieces...but the next step ahead is around the corner I think...it will revolve around new ways to power our machines and how to make them autonomous and more efficient...both ecologically and of course economically... And then of course there is the path of private space flight and exploration...

 

[Smithy]

Nearly all technologies follow a typical logarithmic growth curve, great improvement over a short period of time initially but the increase in development slows over time.

 

[Oriana]

love it

 

[ausreenactor]

Are they rank braids on the sleeve? RNAS?

 

[zoomer]

Awesome. Consider the amazing fact that just 12-15 years later they were flying these off of carriers:

The interesting squadron crest reflects VF-2's status as "The Flying Chiefs." It was formed when the Navy's need for pilots caused a shortage of line officers. The rate of Aviation Pilot (AP) was established at that time.