![From left, Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis, Melvill's SpaceShipOne and Yeager's Bell X-1.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990146.q8KFrXth.jpg) From left, Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis," Melvill's SpaceShipOne and Yeager's Bell X-1. |
![Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, FIRST nonstop solo transatlantic flight, May 21, 1927, Pilot: Charles A. Lindbergh.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989873.WtgLp9fL.jpg) Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis," FIRST nonstop solo transatlantic flight, May 21, 1927, Pilot: Charles A. Lindbergh. |
![On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in history ...](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989875.6ArXpDxv.jpg) On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in history ... |
![... flying his Spirit of St. Louis 5,810 kilometers (3,610 miles) between Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York...](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989876.qAkCU8Yl.jpg) ... flying his "Spirit of St. Louis" 5,810 kilometers (3,610 miles) between Roosevelt Field on Long Island, New York... |
![... and Paris, France, in 33 hours, 30 minutes. ... Spirit of St. Louis was named in honor of Lindbergh's supporters ...](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989872.hbltLteJ.jpg) ... and Paris, France, in 33 hours, 30 minutes. ... "Spirit of St. Louis" was named in honor of Lindbergh's supporters ... |
![... in St. Louis, Missouri, who paid for the aircraft. The initials NYP mean New York-Paris, the object of the flight.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990149.HDFK4uUU.jpg) ... in St. Louis, Missouri, who paid for the aircraft. The initials "NYP" mean "New York-Paris," the object of the flight. |
![Bell XP-59A, America's FIRST turbojet aircraft, Oct. 1 & 2, 1942, Pilots: Robert Stanley/Laurence Craigie.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989877.yTOeSw6Z.jpg) Bell XP-59A, America's FIRST turbojet aircraft, Oct. 1 & 2, 1942, Pilots: Robert Stanley/Laurence Craigie. |
![Bell X-1, FIRST aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound, Oct. 14, 1947, Pilot: USAF Capt. Charles E. Chuck Yeager.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989874.g2LHGd0Q.jpg) Bell X-1, FIRST aircraft to fly faster than the speed of sound, Oct. 14, 1947, Pilot: USAF Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager. |
![North American X-15, FIRST winged aircraft to fly at Mach 4, 5, & 6 above 30,500 meters (100,000 feet), 1959, operated by NASA.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989878.OcYib1e0.jpg) North American X-15, FIRST winged aircraft to fly at Mach 4, 5, & 6 above 30,500 meters (100,000 feet), 1959, operated by NASA. |
![In one test, the X-15 reached an altitude of over 108 km. (67 miles), flying so high that it operated more as a spacecraft ...](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990145.8FByKGc9.jpg) In one test, the X-15 reached an altitude of over 108 km. (67 miles), flying so high that it operated more as a spacecraft ... |
![.... than an airplane. In 1967, it reached Mach 6.72 (7,297 kilometers or 4,534 miles per hour).](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990141.FiJDFNQO.jpg) .... than an airplane. In 1967, it reached Mach 6.72 (7,297 kilometers or 4,534 miles per hour). |
![The X-15 was designed to explore the problems of flight at very high speeds and altitudes.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990143.wh7kHSL5.jpg) The X-15 was designed to explore the problems of flight at very high speeds and altitudes. |
![Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket, FIRST aircraft to fly faster than twice the speed of sound, Nov. 20, 1953, Pilot: A. Scott Crossfield](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990144.UJtpMN2n.jpg) Douglas D-558-2 Skyrocket, FIRST aircraft to fly faster than twice the speed of sound, Nov. 20, 1953, Pilot: A. Scott Crossfield |
![1903 Wright Flyer, FIRST successful airplane, Dec. 17, 1903, Pilot: Orville Wright.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990134.Qe587lOE.jpg) 1903 Wright Flyer, FIRST successful airplane, Dec. 17, 1903, Pilot: Orville Wright. |
![On Dec. 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the 1903 Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine ...](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990135.XTwYrUXh.jpg) "On Dec. 17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the 1903 Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine ... |
![... to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990136.LIgRdGrx.jpg) "... to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard. |
![It flew forward without losing speed and landed at a point as high as that from which it started.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990137.uZLJAy4j.jpg) "It flew forward without losing speed and landed at a point as high as that from which it started." |
![Fokker T-2, FIRST aircraft to fly nonstop coast to coast, May 1923. The flight took 26 hours and 50 minutes.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989882.ihJszESz.jpg) Fokker T-2, FIRST aircraft to fly nonstop coast to coast, May 1923. The flight took 26 hours and 50 minutes. |
![Albatros D.Va, German, World War I, 1918.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989883.OOGvRhgl.jpg) Albatros D.Va, German, World War I, 1918. |
![SPAD XIII Smith IV, French, World War I, assigned to the 2nd Aero Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Service, 1918.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989885.mxoXXUxQ.jpg) SPAD XIII Smith IV, French, World War I, assigned to the 2nd Aero Pursuit Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Service, 1918. |
![Fokker D.VII, German, World War I, 1918; captured on Nov. 9, 1918, when its pilot mistakenly landed on a U.S. airfield.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989886.GStWAtYm.jpg) Fokker D.VII, German, World War I, 1918; captured on Nov. 9, 1918, when its pilot mistakenly landed on a U.S. airfield. |
![Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VII, British, World War II.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989890.cSegdANv.jpg) Supermarine Spitfire Mk. VII, British, World War II. |
![The legendary Spitfire, along with the Hurricane, successfully defended the U.K. in the Battle of Britain.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990128.t5aZfl1T.jpg) The legendary Spitfire, along with the Hurricane, successfully defended the U.K. in the Battle of Britain. |
![Macchi C.202 Folgore, Italian, top; and North American P-51D Mustang, American. World War II.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989888.I2H5gpvP.jpg) Macchi C.202 Folgore, Italian, top; and North American P-51D Mustang, American. World War II. |
![Macchi C.202 Folgore, top. Designed in 1940, the Folgore (Lightning) was the most effective Italian fighter ...](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989897.ZoLzELfI.jpg) Macchi C.202 Folgore, top. Designed in 1940, the Folgore (Lightning) was the most effective Italian fighter ... |
![... used in quantity during World War II. Bottom: North American P-51D Mustang.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989899.PYVIPgIq.jpg) ... used in quantity during World War II. Bottom: North American P-51D Mustang. |
![Many experts consider the P-51 Mustang, bottom, the best fighter of World War II.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989901.s11AmzAt.jpg) Many experts consider the P-51 Mustang, bottom, the best fighter of World War II. |
![Originally developed for the British, the Mustang was later ordered in large quantities by the U.S. Army Air Forces.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990127.0BJWw7VG.jpg) Originally developed for the British, the Mustang was later ordered in large quantities by the U.S. Army Air Forces. |
![The Messerschmitt Bf. 109 gained the world's attention during the Battle of Britain. It remains Germany's best-known aircraft.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989903.jPjdHBY2.jpg) The Messerschmitt Bf. 109 gained the world's attention during the Battle of Britain. It remains Germany's best-known aircraft. |
![Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero. The Zero was the primary Japanese naval fighter during World War II.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989892.581HELZG.jpg) Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero. The Zero was the primary Japanese naval fighter during World War II. |
![It was used in the attack on Pearl Harbor and in Kamikaze raids toward the end of the war.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989905.NBEwrBmW.jpg) It was used in the attack on Pearl Harbor and in Kamikaze raids toward the end of the war. |
![Allied pilots were astounded by the Zero's maneuverability. It was very successful in combat until the Allies changed tactics.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989895.4VgisTOp.jpg) Allied pilots were astounded by the Zero's maneuverability. It was very successful in combat until the Allies changed tactics. |
![Allied pilots referred to all Japanese fighters as Zeros, but the term is correctly applied only to the A6M -- codename Zeke.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990129.HGlzUccF.jpg) Allied pilots referred to all Japanese fighters as Zeros, but the term is correctly applied only to the A6M -- codename "Zeke." |
![Scale model of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, U.S. Navy.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990130.3LcvFo0S.jpg) Scale model of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, U.S. Navy. |
![Scale model of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, U.S. Navy.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990131.AKVyTXRt.jpg) Scale model of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, U.S. Navy. |
![Scale model of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, U.S. Navy.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990132.By6i2vkA.jpg) Scale model of the aircraft carrier Enterprise, U.S. Navy. |
![Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, designed 1950-52, first flown on June 22, 1954. A4s were used against ground targets in the Vietnam War.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990133.7Dtjqh81.jpg) Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, designed 1950-52, first flown on June 22, 1954. A4s were used against ground targets in the Vietnam War. |
![A precursor of the U.S. space shuttle.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990139.Pwtyuhqw.jpg) A precursor of the U.S. space shuttle. |
![Mercury Friendship 7 carried FIRST American to orbit Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. Astronaut: John H. Glenn Jr.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989880.mEtnAtV9.jpg) Mercury "Friendship 7" carried FIRST American to orbit Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. Astronaut: John H. Glenn Jr. |
![Gemini IV made possible the FIRST American spacewalk, June 3, 1965. Astronaut: Edward H. White II.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85989879.vTZhW48B.jpg) Gemini IV made possible the FIRST American spacewalk, June 3, 1965. Astronaut: Edward H. White II. |
![Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia, FIRST manned moon landing, July 16-24, 1969. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990212.07SN229L.jpg) Apollo 11 Command Module "Columbia," FIRST manned moon landing, July 16-24, 1969. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins |
![Apollo Command Module.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990138.N4bDLpRt.jpg) Apollo Command Module. |
![Background: U.S. Apollo mission docking with Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990140.hGhrOluU.jpg) Background: U.S. Apollo mission docking with Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. |
![Breitling Orbiter 3 Gondola, FIRST nonstop flight around the world by a balloon, March 21, 1999.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990147.FehnKRxi.jpg) Breitling Orbiter 3 Gondola, FIRST nonstop flight around the world by a balloon, March 21, 1999. |
![Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones completed the journey in this British-built gondola in 19 days, 21 hours, and 55 minutes.](https://a4.pbase.com/g6/21/783021/3/85990148.MKTVlc5y.jpg) Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones completed the journey in this British-built gondola in 19 days, 21 hours, and 55 minutes. |