Aviation has come a long way since the Wright Brothers built their Flyer in 1903. From among the thousands of types of military and commercial aircraft constructed since then, Robert Dorr profiles the most important, fascinating, and famous, with a particular focus on World War II. Each plane or helicopter is profiled with a photo and a text supplying its historical context and specs, including the Blériot XI, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the Messerschmitt Me 262, the Northrop F-89 Scorpion, the Boeing 747, and the Spirit of St. Louis.