When you go home, tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today. – John Maxwell Edmonds

During the second world war, aviation became a crucial weapon of modern warfare. From the Battle of Britain to dropping atomic bombs on Japan, much of WWII was fought in the skies. Investment in aircraft technology during this time drove the aviation industry in general forward in leaps and bounds, paving the way for the modern aircraft used in passenger operations today. //

The largest allied bomber of WWII was the B-29 Superfortress. Responsible for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, this aircraft also has a less dubious claim to fame. It was one of the first times pressurized cabins had been used, which protected crew from subzero temperatures when flying long-range bombing missions, and is something we all rely on today for long-distance, high altitude flying. //

Although there had been some experimentation with pressurization prior to the second world war, it wasn’t until the demands of war really pushed the boundaries of technology that it came into its own. In 1943, the Lockheed Constellation became the first widespread airliner with a pressurized cabin, followed by aircraft like the DC-6 and DC-7, laying the path for the cabins we fly in today. //

As well as developing technology used in aircraft themselves, the second world war also saw the widespread use of radar for the first time. Developed in the decade preceding the start of WWII, radar had the capability to detect approaching aircraft from miles away, allowing British fighters to intercept bombers before they arrived.During WWII, this technology was further developed for use in aircraft themselves. This allowed RAF pilots to find their enemies, even when they could not be seen. Modern radar technology is a world away from these early interactions, but nevertheless an essential component in keeping flight safe in the skies. //

At the start of the war, there were very few airports that could support military operations. Throughout the war, aerodromes were rapidly constructed all over participating nations. Many of these became civil aviation bases after the war, heralding the move from flying boats for long haul operations to modern land planes.