The period between 1919 and 1939 is most often referred to as the Golden Age of Aviation. This was a time that was rich in rapid innovation, increasingly daring feats, and of course, glamorous air travel. In the matter of two decades, aviation as the world knew it seemed to change forever. The aviation scene went from delicate biplanes and mere barnstorming experiments to stunning passenger airlines and luxurious transatlantic flights. We’ll take a look at 23 photos that capture the impressive changes that took place during those years.
1. The 1930s went crazy on the aviation aesthetics.
It’s truly crazy to think that this plane was up in the air so long ago.
2. Seriously look at that guy go.
Not only is the plane’s design impressive, but the view of the various plots of land isn’t so bad either.
3. Just resting before the next stunning flight.
You can almost smell the farm field from the picture.
4. In action, and looking efficient while doing it.
You’d better believe that this plane’s engine could make some serious noise.
5. Seems like Delta Air Lines has shaken things up a bit.
Clearly, Delta Air Lines has continued to evolve over the years.
6. Talk about a smooth landing.
Oh boy, it’s always entertaining to see a seaplane make its grand descent.
7. Air France still had it going on back in the day.
The Air France flights are no joke. They’ve really got to be read to tackle an impressive amount of miles.
8. The Blériot 125 was a French twin pod airliner designed in the early 1930s.
There’s something so impressively voluminous about the twin pod airliners when you snap a shot of one of them from afar.
9. Prototype P38 Lightning sits in front of a hangar, Burbank California 1939.
So shiny, and so impressive.
10. The Loire 70 was a French, three engine, maritime reconnaissance flying boat from the 1930s.
Definitely one of the more limber seaplanes that we’ve seen in action.
11. This Art Deco beauty was the height of personal luxury transport in the 1930s.
Finally, a colorized photo of a true classic in action.
12. Right out of California’s Grand Central Air Terminal.
Now that’s a serious flex if we’ve ever seen one.
13. The Caudron C-460 Rafale, a French racing aircraft built for the Coupe Deutsch de la Meurthe race of 1934.
For me, it’s that stunning shade of blue just meeting in the middle with the blue sky. A work of art if we’re being honest.
14. The original Jumbo, by Werkspoor in the 1930s.
Yeah, calling this plane Jumbo was a good idea.
15. Boeing Model 40 over mountains, 1930s.
Some suggest that this was indeed Boeing’s first ever plane.
16. B17D over Manhattan, right around the 1930s.
Just another day flying over the Big Apple.
17. A stunning digital Restoration of a USAAC P-36s (1939).
We love a proper digital restoration photo that captures a piece of the aviation scene.
18. Some sea planes from the 1920s-1940s.
The sea planes back then sure knew how to keep things tight when in formation.
19. A Boeing B40 variant from back in the day.
It doesn’t get much more vintage aviation than this.
20. The Nieuport-Delage NiD 37 was a single-engine, single-seat monoplane fighter aircraft and racer built in France in the 1920s.
The planes that were built for racing back in the day were not playing any games.
21. The Farman F.4X Jabiru was a French airliner from the 1920s.
The French didn’t waste any time churning out impressive aircraft.
22. A Witteman-Lewis XNBL-1 Barling Bomber of the mid-1920s
Apparently this was an experimental aircraft during the 1920s.
23. Getting all geared up for takeoff.
It looks like these guys are pretty excited about their upcoming flight.
