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The history of aviation is one of contrasts, from the
rocket-firing Hunter to the weekend pilot's Chipmunk, or the Bomber
photographing enemy installations from 30,000 feet and the Comet or Boeing
long-distance jet airliner. However, the development of military aviation has
always been dependent on that of civil aviation. The jet-engine, invented by Sir
Frank Whittle during the last war, was initially developed for hostile purposes
but has since led to the peaceful use of jet transport and passenger planes.
Similarly, the Hurricane fighter of the Second World War evolved from pre-1939
monoplanes.
Man has long dreamed of flying like birds, and the 20th century saw this dream
become a reality. Ballooning and gliders were common before 1900, but powered
'heavier-than-air' flying only came about with the development of the petrol
engine in the late 1800s. By 1900, primitive aircraft had been built on both
sides of the Atlantic, with the Wright brothers' Kitty Hawk flight being a
notable achievement. Between 1900 and 1914, several countries developed
serviceable aircraft, mostly biplanes, gradually increasing wing-lift, power,
reducing weight, and increasing fuel capacity, maneuverability, height, and
speed potential. However, pre-1941 aircraft were not trusted for travel
purposes, and range was severely limited.
The outbreak of the First World War gave a tremendous impetus to flying, with
aircraft's potential as weapons quickly realized. Both sides spent money on
design-research, and primitive warplanes were mass-produced. Initially, aerial
observation-posts were used on the Western Front, but this quickly led to
overhead engagements, with pilots shooting it out with revolvers. The
development of the synchronized machine-gun, capable of firing through a
propeller, was a significant advance. While these aircraft had a nuisance value,
nobody could predict their crucial role in the future of aviation.
Civil aviation struggled in most countries during this period due to
governmental indifference. It was not until the '30s that metal monoplanes of
long-range and high reliability standards were produced, with the establishment
of passenger and freight lines, seaplanes, and even ski-planes for polar
exploration. However, Hitler realized the war-potential of aircraft and used
them to devastating effect in panzer-attacks in Europe and Egypt. The Hurricanes
and Spitfires saved Britain from invasion, while the American Boeings and
British Whitleys and Wellingtons virtually destroyed the Ruhr towns in
preparation for the Second Front. Airpower was crucial in the allied victory in
the East and West. Hiroshima and Nagasaki reversed Pearl Harbor and Singapore.
The nuclear bomb made aircraft a terrifying weapon in modern times, and humanity
prays for its outlaw. However, out of war came advance, and the jet aircraft,
scarcely in use until 1945, established international passenger and freight
airlines. Today, all countries recognize the importance of flying as a potential
money-earner and a means of cementing international relationships through quick
and easy exchange of visitors. The interdependence of military and civil
aviation has been critical in the development of aviation as we know it today. |
