Launched Collection (#6)

Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air missile is launched

North American X-15 56-6670 launched
North American X-15, 56-6670, is launched from its Boeing B-52B mothership

Boeing Bomarc surface-to-air missile is launched from the Air Force Missile Test Center, Patrick AFB, Florida, USA

The third Thor IRBM launched in a training exercise by a three-man RAF launch crew at Vandenberg. 3 August 1959. Date: 1959

The first Thor IRBM launched in a training exercise by a three-man RAF launch crew at Vandenberg. 16 April 1959. Date: 1959

Liquid oxygen vapour escapes during pre-launch checkout of the first Thor IRBM launched in a training exercise by a three-man RAF launch crew at Vandenberg

BAC Thunderbird ground-to-air missile is launched during British Army field exercises in Western Germany. August 1970. Date: 1970

Hawker Nimrod II K3654 about to be launched
Hawker Nimrod II, K3654, about to be launched from a VIH type, telescopic tube catapult at RAF Leuchars

An Atlas-Agena rocket is launched from Cape Kennedy on 25 October 1965 for the first dual launch ready for an in-orbit rendezvous with a Gemini. Date: 1965

The first Samos I spy satellite about to be launched by an Atlas-Agena from the new Point Arguello, California, missile facility

Jindivik of the Royal Austraian Navy is launched from its trolley at JBMR

Jindivik Mk2 is launched from its trolley

Jindivik Mk1 is launched from its trolley

North American Navaho surface-to-surface missile is launched from Cape Canaveral. 1 March 1958. Poor quality photo. Date: 1958

Martin TM-76 Mace surface-to-surface is launched from Holloman Air Force Base Missile Development Center

Short Seacat ship-to-air missile is launched

The English Electric Blue Water surface-to-surface missile is carried on, and launched from, a standard three-ton Bedford 4 x 4 truck. circa 1961. Date: 1961

The Martin Viking first US-designed high-altitude research r
The first US-designed high-altitude research rocket, the Martin Viking is launched, 3 May 1949, at the White Sands Proving Grounds, Las Cruces, New Mexico. Date: 1949

The USS Norton Sound - guided missile research ship
The USS Norton Sound, the US Navys guided missile research ship, from which a Martin Viking rocket was launched on 12 May 1950 to establish a new record for US-built

Short Sunderland III ML821 being launched from the factory
Short Sunderland III, ML821, being launched from the factory slipway. This aircraft was later converted to a MkV

Dispatch vessel HMS Iris. Launched in 1877, this was the first steel ship built for the British Admiralty. Constructed of steel made by the Siemens-Martin process at Landore Siemens Steel Company

French Religious Wars 1562-1598. Siege of Chartres. Huguenots besieged Chartres at the end of February 1568, breaching the north wall with artillery. Assault launched on 7 March unsuccessful

Urban II, Pope (1088-99) presiding over Council of Claremont of 1095 which launched the First Crusade. Woodcut from Grand voyage de Hierusalem 1522

Wood and Iron. The steam ship HMS Warrior the first ironclad warship in the British navy, launched in 1861, and one of the old wooden sailing vessels

SS Great Britain c1843. Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), she was built for the transatlantic passenger trade. In the event, she made most of her voyages on the Australian run

LAUNCH OF H. M. S. MELITA AT MALTA The First Ironclad Launched from the Malta Dockyard
LAUNCH OF H.M.S. MELITA AT MALTA The First Ironclad Launched from the Malta Dockyard, 1888 engraving

First Space Shuttle launch C014 / 4704
First Space Shuttle launch. First launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia, showing the two solid rocket boosters after being jettisoned

Terra Nova Steamship
This Scottish whaler is used by Captain Scott in his ill- fated attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole, 1911. launched 1884

Nassau Warship
With three sister-ships, the Nassau is the first dreadnought in the German fleet : she carries twelve 280mm and twelve 150mm guns which will soon come in handy. Date: launched 1908

Von Der Tann Cruiser
Germanys first battlecruiser, she is severely damaged at the battle of Jutland, all guns out of action, but makes it home. She will be scuttled at Scapa Flow in June 1918. Date: launched 1909

Fireboat in a cradle waiting to be launched, WW2
A fireboat in a cradle waiting to be launched

Blanchards balloon ascent, Little Chelsea

Balloon event, Charles Green, Aylesbury
Grand Aerostatic Fete at Aylesbury, 416th Balloon Ascent by Mr Charles Green in his Royal Victoria Balloon. From a spacious meadow belonging to Mr T J Hinds of the Black Swan Inn, Cambridge Street

Balloon launched from Artillery Ground
Balloon launched from the Artillery Ground, watched by a crowd of spectators. 25 November 1783

RMS Aquitania in Liverpool. She was a Cunard White Star Liner. 901 feet long, 45, 647 tons. Scrapped in 1950

Cunard Line R. M. S. Mauretania
Cunard Line R.M.S. Mauretania. Holder of the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing (1907- 1929)

The tidal wave - July 4, 1918 - 95 ships launched United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation. Poster showing an eagle leading a fleet of ships; an engulfing wave is composed of cavalry

Honourable Artillery Company lifeboat, Walton, Essex
The first National Lifeboat Institution lifeboat at Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, donated by and named after The Honourable Artillery Company whose Drama Club sponsored it, was launched in 1884

Scenes on board the SS Austral: the drawing room, the dining room and the promenade deck. The SS Austral, a passenger vessel which took part in the early transportation by sea of refrigerated meat

The SS Austral, a passenger vessel which took part in the early transportation by sea of refrigerated meat between Australia and Europe

The America Cup challengers: Shamrock II launched at Dumbart
A symbol of three kingdoms: the pontoons " Thistle", " Rose" and the yacht " Shamrock II". The Illustrated London News claimed that at the time of publication this was

Hms Bellerophon
The fourth vessel of this name to serve in the Royal Navy, this Dreadnought-style battleship will take part in the battle of Jutland 1916, and be sold for scrap in 1921. Date: launched 1907

Restaurant on the RMS Aquitania
View of the Louis XVI Restaurant on the RMS Aquitania, a luxury Cunard Line cruise ship which launched in 1914. Date: early 20th century

FLICA YACHT
The Flica International Rule 12 Metre Class Racing Yacht, built by Camper & Nicolson in 1929, designed by Sir Richard Fairey. Here flying her flags at the end of her 1933 win

QUEEN MARY PASSENGERS
Lucky passengers relaxing on the stern deck of the Cunard White Star Liner Queen Mary, on one of her last voyages. Date: launched 1934

H. M. S. TERRIBLE
A sailor wearing the hat of his ship, the unfortunately named H.M.S. Terrible, a British Royal Navy vessel, launched in 1895. late 1890s

LIFE-BOAT
The Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) Station, Eastbourne, which was built in 1903, seen here with the Royal Navy Lifeboat (RNLB) Beryl Tollemache, which was launched in 1949. Date: 1960s

Britannia Cunarder 2
Cunard passenger liner which starts the first regular transatlantic mail service; in 1849 she is sold to Germany and ignominiously ends her career sunk as a target ship. Date: launched 1840

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From the depths of history to the heights of innovation, these iconic launches have left an indelible mark on maritime and aviation history. In 1903, RMS Carpathia set sail, forever etching its name in our hearts as the heroic vessel that came to the rescue of Titanic survivors. Fast forward to 1937, and Birkenhead witnessed a momentous occasion with the launch of HMS Ark Royal, a majestic symbol of British naval power. Meanwhile, across the seas in Australia, Her Majesty's Australian Ship (HMAS) Melbourne (21) took its first plunge into unknown waters in 1957. This mighty warship would go on to serve its nation with honor for decades. The same year also saw another groundbreaking launch - CITROEN ID. 19 revolutionized automotive design and captivated drivers worldwide with its sleek elegance. In 1962, TS Arethusa gracefully sailed into existence as a training ship for future seafarers - a beacon of knowledge and adventure on tumultuous waves. Speaking of adventure, it was during World War II when B-25 Mitchell Bomber fearlessly took off from Hornet's deck; an awe-inspiring sight that embodied courage amidst chaos. The tragic tale unfolds as we remember LUSITANIA – once hailed as one of the grandest ocean liners ever built but met her untimely fate at sea during World War I. However, hope resurfaced with SS Great Britain's innovative plan – launched years before her time – showcasing Isambard Kingdom Brunel's visionary genius. RMS Mauretania made waves upon her launch in 1938; this luxurious liner redefined opulence while traversing vast oceans effortlessly. Rewinding further back in time brings us face-to-face with a meticulously crafted model: HMS Victory from 1737 stands tall even today as a testament to naval supremacy.