In pictures: 48 years of Farnborough airshow

1 minute read
Updated 6:09 AM EDT, Fri July 6, 2012
Farnborough in Hampshire, England has a long association with air travel. This image circa 1909 shows aviation pioneer Samuel Cody's British Army Aeroplane No 1 flying at Farnborough. Cody later died in an air accident. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Farnborough's long history with aviation —
Farnborough in Hampshire, England has a long association with air travel. This image circa 1909 shows aviation pioneer Samuel Cody's British Army Aeroplane No 1 flying at Farnborough. Cody later died in an air accident. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Another air innovation gets an outing at Farnborough in 1925 as test pilot Frank Courtney talks with officials and reporters at the aerodrome before taking an "autogiro" for a flight.
Frank Courtney tests an "autogiro," 1925 —
Another air innovation gets an outing at Farnborough in 1925 as test pilot Frank Courtney talks with officials and reporters at the aerodrome before taking an "autogiro" for a flight.
Brooke/Getty Images
A de Havilland Comet, the world's first jet airliner, is displayed at the Farnborough's second major air show in 1949.
World's first jet airliner is displayed, 1949 —
A de Havilland Comet, the world's first jet airliner, is displayed at the Farnborough's second major air show in 1949.
Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images
Eight-year-old David Bailey stands by the undercarriage of an Avro York transport plane at the Farnborough Airshow rehearsal in 1950.
An Avro York at Farnborough airshow, 1950 —
Eight-year-old David Bailey stands by the undercarriage of an Avro York transport plane at the Farnborough Airshow rehearsal in 1950.
Getty Images
Disaster strikes the airshow in 1952 when a de Havilland 110 broke up over spectators after breaking the sound barrier. The accident killed 29 people on the ground and injured dozens more.
The de Havilland 110 disaster, 1952 —
Disaster strikes the airshow in 1952 when a de Havilland 110 broke up over spectators after breaking the sound barrier. The accident killed 29 people on the ground and injured dozens more.
Leonard G. Alsford/Express/Getty Images
An experimental Rolls Royce aircraft capable of vertical take off, nicknamed the 'Flying Bedstead', exhibited in Farnborough in 1955.
Experimental engineering, 1955 —
An experimental Rolls Royce aircraft capable of vertical take off, nicknamed the 'Flying Bedstead', exhibited in Farnborough in 1955.
Monty Fresco Jnr/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
A model of the supersonic airliner Concorde at the Farnborough air show in 1962.
A supersonic spectacle, 1962 —
A model of the supersonic airliner Concorde at the Farnborough air show in 1962.
Getty Images
A forerunner of modern day drone aircraft, the radio-controlled Westland Wisp was displayed at the 1976 Farnborough Airshow.
Drones on show, 1976 —
A forerunner of modern day drone aircraft, the radio-controlled Westland Wisp was displayed at the 1976 Farnborough Airshow.
Getty Images
The £40 billion Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft is unveiled at Farnborough in 1998.
A £40 billion combat aircraft, 1998 —
The £40 billion Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft is unveiled at Farnborough in 1998.
AFP/Getty Images
Members of the British Royal Airforce's "Red Arrows" aerial display perform stunts over Farnborough in 2004.
A "Red Arrow" aerial array, 2004 —
Members of the British Royal Airforce's "Red Arrows" aerial display perform stunts over Farnborough in 2004.
AFP/Getty Images
Then UK Prime Minister Tony Blair visits the air show in 2006. Current Prime Minister David Cameron is reportedly opening this year's event.
Politicians at the airshow, 2006 —
Then UK Prime Minister Tony Blair visits the air show in 2006. Current Prime Minister David Cameron is reportedly opening this year's event.
AFP/Getty Images
A Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is pictured at Farnborough on July 22, 2010.
Unmanned aircraft on display, 2010 —
A Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is pictured at Farnborough on July 22, 2010.
AFP/Getty Images
Farnborough airshow through the years

The 48th Farnborough International Airshow will take place in Hampshire, England between 9-15th July 2012.

Story highlights

Farnborough airshow is one of the biggest gatherings of the airline industry

The show is organized biennially, alternating with the Paris airshow

Its history can be traced back to the beginnings of aviation development

CNN  — 

The Farnborough airshow attracts exhibitors and visitors from all around the world and is at the heart of developments in the aviation industry.

Its runways in Hampshire, England have witnessed many aerospace engineering milestones - including the showcase of the first jet airliner, debut of Concorde and the unveiling of the Typhoon combat aircraft.

Initially held every year, Farnborough has been organized biennially since the 1960s, alternating with Paris in hosting the airshow.