Aviation History

Historic flights, aircraft milestones, aviation pioneers, and aviation disasters.

British Pilot Sets World Speed Record at 606 MPH in Jet Aircraft, December 1945

The PastPrint Editorial Team / June 1, 2026

Captain H.J. Wilson shattered aviation barriers by achieving 606 mph in a British Gloster Meteor jet. The record, officially verified through four separate runs, surpassed Eric Greenwood’s 603 mph mark set the same day.

Australian Aviator Ross Smith Wins Historic England-Australia Flight Prize, 1919

The PastPrint Editorial Team / June 1, 2026

Captain Ross Smith completed the first successful flight from England to Australia on December 10, 1919, winning the Australian government’s £10,000 prize. The historic 11,000-mile journey took 30 days and beat French competitor Winne Poulet.