Aircraft Carrier Steam Catapult Cutaway, 1953

Aircraft Carrier Steam Catapult, 1953

Pictured is a 1953 cutaway of the planned HMS Perseus, showing the novel introduction of a steam catapult to replace the customary cylinder, ram, pulley, and wire catapults. The plane is hooked to a long, slotted cylinder.  High pressure steam is released from the ship’s boilers into the cylinder. As of the date of that… Continue reading Aircraft Carrier Steam Catapult Cutaway, 1953

British DeHavilland Comet Passenger Jet, 1950

British DeHavilland Comet Passenger Jet, 1950

  In 1950, easy passenger jet travel was still a dream that could excite the public.  The deHavilland Comet was still in its infancy when, for a test flight, it flew from London to North Africa, a distance of 3,000 miles, at a top speed of 450 miles per hour. See Another Cutaway View of… Continue reading British DeHavilland Comet Passenger Jet, 1950

Wright Cyclone Engine World War 2 Aircraft Cutaway, 1945

Wright Cyclone Engine World War 2 Aircraft Cutaway 1945

This was a fictional Second World War aircraft meant to illustrate the Wright Cyclone engine (located in the engine cowling, #10) on a test flight.  The aircraft interior has been specially designed for testing. Areas of this aircraft shown on the cutaway: Oxygen supply for crew. Movie camera recording instruments. Movie lights. Instrument panel. Flight… Continue reading Wright Cyclone Engine World War 2 Aircraft Cutaway, 1945

WWII Fighter Plane Cutaway Showing Gravity Suit, 1945

WWII Fighter Plane Cutaway Showing Gravity Suit 1945

A cutaway within a cutaway.  Drawn by Stewart Rouse, this illustrates a generic WWII fighter plane peeled back to show the pilot within.  Then the pilot’s gravity suit itself is peeled back to reveal some of its inner workings. Bladders within the suit were inflated with air from the craft, to minimize the chance of… Continue reading WWII Fighter Plane Cutaway Showing Gravity Suit, 1945

Super-G Constellation Cutway, 1955

A fine cutway from 1955 by famed illustrator Rolf Klep, of a Super-G Constellation. This is actually part of an amazing double-spread from a LIFE magazine, showing both this aircraft and the oceanliner Cristoforo Columbo. Accompanying text notes that the Constellation had a flexible seating arrangement.  In this drawing, tourist class passengers occupied the forward… Continue reading Super-G Constellation Cutway, 1955