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| Aeroplane Monthly | |
|---|---|
| Title | Aeroplane Monthly |
| Category | Aviation magazine |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Firstdate | 1973 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Aeroplane Monthly is a British monthly periodical focusing on the history, technology, operations and preservation of aircraft, with emphasis on British and international aviation heritage. It covers topics from early pioneer aviation to contemporary air shows and historic restoration projects, catering to enthusiasts, historians and professionals interested in civil and military aeronautics. The magazine is noted for archival research, technical analysis and photographic documentation spanning aircraft types, manufacturers and air forces.
The magazine was founded in 1973 amid renewed public interest following events such as the Concorde development and anniversaries of First World War aviation milestones. Early issues documented survivors of the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and Avro Lancaster fleets, and coverage expanded through the 1970s into cold-war era types like the English Electric Lightning and Handley Page Victor. During the 1980s and 1990s the title chronicled developments involving the Panavia Tornado, BAe Harrier, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird sightings and restoration of de Havilland Comet prototypes. It has reported on collections at institutions such as the Imperial War Museum, Royal Air Force Museum, Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum, and private preservation groups tied to the Battle of Britain commemorations.
Editors have balanced scholarly research and enthusiast interests in the magazine's editorial direction, liaising with archives like the National Archives (UK), corporate records of firms including Rolls-Royce and Bristol Aeroplane Company, and service establishments such as Royal Air Force and United States Air Force repositories. The publisher maintained relationships with trade organisations such as the Society of British Aircraft Constructors and exhibition organisers for events like the Farnborough Airshow and Paris Air Show. Production standards emphasise technical drawings, type diagrams and period photography sourced from collections including Imperial War Museum Duxford and the Science Museum, alongside contributions from museums like Royal Air Force Museum London and regional archives like the East Anglian Aviation Heritage Centre.
Regular sections include detailed type histories of aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Sopwith Camel, Fokker Dr.I, Messerschmitt Bf 109, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15, Sukhoi Su-27 and Dassault Mirage III. Technical analyses explore powerplants from Pratt & Whitney R-2800 to Rolls-Royce Merlin and early jet engines like the Whittle W.2 and Rolls-Royce Avon. Features examine squadrons and commands tied to campaigns like the Battle of Britain, Korean War, Falklands War and Gulf War. The magazine carries restoration reports from groups restoring Vickers Wellington, Bristol Blenheim, Gloster Meteor, De Havilland Mosquito and civilian types such as the de Havilland Dragon Rapide. Annual calendars, aircraft recognition guides and airshow previews for venues such as Royal International Air Tattoo, Biggin Hill Air Fair and Fantasy of Flight are staples.
Contributors have included established aviation historians and authors who have also written on subjects like Sir Frank Whittle, Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, Kelly Johnson, R. J. Mitchell and pilots from squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. Notable names among contributors have overlapped with authors of monographs on Consolidated B-24 Liberator, Heinkel He 111, Savoia-Marchetti SM.79, Breguet 693 and restoration specialists tied to organisations such as the Aircraft Restoration Company and museums like Imperial War Museum Duxford. The publication draws freelance journalists, former test pilots affiliated with organisations like British Aircraft Corporation and academics linked to universities researching aviation history, including scholars of Cambridge University and London School of Economics who have published on aerospace policy and procurement.
Circulation reached enthusiasts across the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Australasia, with subscribers from institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and national museums. Reviews and reader letters often reference contemporary books on aviation by authors associated with publishing houses such as Jane's Information Group and Osprey Publishing, and coverage has been cited by curators at the National Museum of the United States Air Force and aviation heritage organisations like the Commemorative Air Force. The magazine has been used as a source in documentaries for networks such as the BBC, History Channel and Discovery Channel.
Special editions have focused on centenaries—for example, commemorations of the First World War aviation centenary and the anniversary of the Wright brothers first flights—plus type-specials devoted to the Supermarine Spitfire, Avro Vulcan, Hawker Siddeley Harrier and Concorde. Supplements have compiled archives on manufacturers including De Havilland, Fairey Aviation Company, Gloster Aircraft Company, Westland Aircraft and Short Brothers. The magazine has produced pictorial atlases of airfields like Duxford Aerodrome, Biggin Hill, RAF Cosford and historic squadrons such as No. 617 Squadron RAF.
The title and its contributors have received recognition from aviation organisations and heritage bodies including awards presented by the Royal Aeronautical Society, commendations from trusts such as the Historic Aircraft Association and mentions in professional bibliographies alongside works from publishers like Putnam and ICAO publications. Articles have been cited in academic journals on aerospace history and referenced by restoration project funders including national lottery heritage programmes and charitable foundations connected to museums such as the Imperial War Museum.
Category:Aviation magazines Category:British magazines Category:Publications established in 1973