Ever since December 17, 1903 when Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first successful powered aircraft the field of aerospace engineering has had quite an impact on the way we travel, work, and perceive our world. These are 25 air and space crafts that helped shape history.
The Avro Lancaster
A bomber built by Avro Canada for service in World War 2. It was used by the Royal Air Force, The Royal Canadian Air Force, and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Boeing B-17
A bomber built for the U.S Army Air Corps in the 1930’s. The craft was used by the Royal Air Force, U.S Army Air Corps, and Brazilian Air Force.
Messerschmitt M.E 262
Created by the German Luftwaffe in 1941. It was the first jet aircraft and jet fighter. M.E 262 pilots had a collective 542 kills.
F-101 VooDoo
Used by the United States Air Force, and the Royal Canadian Air Force during the cold war as a fighter interceptor. It was the first nuclear armed fighter-bomber.
Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit
An American air craft most note able for it’s unusual shape. With a crew of 2 it can carry a number explosives including nuclear weapons.
U-2 Spy Plane
A sub-orbital spy plane created by the C.I.A during the cold war. Most missions where carried out over The Soviet Union, North Vietnam, Cuba, and China.
Vostok space craft
The space craft which put the first man into space, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. With a crew of only one, and the diameter being 2.3 meters this space craft managed to orbit the earth.
Harrier Jump Jet
A British fighter jet used by the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Indian Navy, and United States Marine Corps. This jet is able to lift straight up like a helicopter. It saw service in many conflicts including the Falklands.
Space Shuttle
A 2 stage space plane with 2 boosters and a burn time of 124 seconds. This is a truly fantastic space craft.
Sputnik
The first satellite and man made object in space. This Soviet made space probe brought humanity into the space age.
Saturn 5
The rocket created by NASA which helped put man on the Moon.
Apollo
The command and lunar modules of the Apollo missions which helped put man on the Moon deserve to be on this list.
The Red Baron
The Red German tri-plane which dominated the skies of World War 1 had 80 victories. Until Manfred von Richthofen’s reign was brought to an end in 1918.
The Enola Gay
This B-29 dropped the first atomic bomb. And helped win WW2.
V-22 Osprey
A mix of helicopter and plane, this aircraft is still being used by the U.S Air Force, U.S Marine Corps, and Royal Canadian Air Force
Sikorsky R-4
The first real helicopter was created in 1942 by Igor Sikorsky for the military and to deliver mail.
Bi-plane
The plane which dominated WW1 and is still being used today, it is a fixed wing air craft with 2 sets of wings.
F-18
With a speed of Mach 1.8 and M61 Vulcan cannons this is a fantastic fighter still being used by The Royal Canadian Air Force, U.S Navy and U.S Marine Corps. But perhaps F-18s are most note able for the fact they are flown by the U.S Navy’s Blue Angels.
F-104 Star Fighter
This interceptor was originally made for the USAF. But the air craft was so reliable it was used by the Canadians, Indians, Turks, Germans, and Japanese.
Spitfire
This British fighter won the Battle of Britain. Without it who knows where we would be?
Mosquito
This small, fast and light bomber was created by the British during WW2. It was mostly used for reconnaissance.
MIG 21
This Soviet made fighter was very advance for it’s time. MIGs where used in Korea, Vietnam and in India. They are still used by the North Korean air force even though they where made in the 1950’s.
Soyuz rocket
This Soviet made rocket used to launch Sputnik, dogs, and Yuri Gagarin into space is still being used today to send Astronauts and Cosmonauts to the International Space Station.
CF-105 Arrow
The CF-105 Arrow created by Avro Canada. It was created for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a nuclear armed fighter interceptor during the cold war. It was the first super sonic air craft and fighter jets today are still based off the Arrow. The Arrow was cancelled after only 6 where made. After the cancellation many Avro Canada workers went to work on the Apollo missions.
Wright Flyer
The first air craft to ever fly. Created by the Wright Brothers, this obviously deserved a spot at the top.