World War I made the airplane—a recent invention—essential in war and peace. The conflict, which raged from 1914 to 1918, laid the foundation for military aviation. It was a decisive test for emerging aviation technology and tactics and helped establish the aviation industry. 

The new World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation exhibition uses fascinating artifacts and the distinctive sights and sounds of early combat aircraft to tell the story of how remarkable people adapted the new technology of the airplane to warfare and changed how the world fights and flies.

Some of the war’s best-known aircraft – the beloved Sopwith Camel, deadly Fokker D.VII, and the Dayton-Wright DH-4 (the first American-built combat airplane to see action) – frame displays of breakthrough technologies. One of the only surviving aircraft flown by a wartime ace, the SPAD XIII Smith IV, helps inform the story of the day-to-day heroism and heartbreak of American aviator Arthur Raymond Brooks. A large immersive projection space allows visitors to see and hear the amazing sights and sounds of open-cockpit aerial combat in high definition. 

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Location in Museum

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Gallery 209
A map showing the floor plan of the second floor of the museum. A yellow box is to the right of the center of the map, denoting the location of gallery 209.
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Teaser Trailer & Gallery Preview Article

What's Inside?

"The new gallery is the third iteration of a World War I exhibition since the National Air and Space Museum opened its building on the National Mall in 1976. The previous iteration opened in 1991. Since then, improvements in exhibition design, multimedia displays, and interactives have provided new opportunities for the Museum to showcase this critical, but all too frequently overlooked moment in our aviation heritage."

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More About World War I

A single breasted drab wool coat with five brass buttons down front; two upper patch pockets and two lower patch pockets with brass buttoned flap; a stiff or "choker" collar; a single gold officer's lace on each cuff; a brass "U.S." insignia on right collar; a Winged Propeller Air Service insignia on left collar; three overseas service chevrons on left cuff; a Distinguished Service Cross ribbon with 7 oak leaf clusters, a French Legion of Honor ribbon, and a French Croix de Guerre ribbon with 3 palm leaves. Deep dive

World War I

A dozen or more sopwith camel airplanes lined up in a row on a field. Men can be seen around the airplanes in various states of preparation for flight. Deep dive

The Evolution of World War I Aircraft

In this Exhibition

Green and brown Spad XIII "Smith IV" biplane in museum

Spad XIII "Smith IV"

Object
Acorn colored cane basket suspended from the ceiling.

Balloon Basket, USA, World War I, United States Army Air Service

Object
Tan De Havilland DH-4 biplane hanging in museum

Dayton-Wright DH-4

Object
Biplane with multi-color, camouflaged wings, gray fuselage, and olive drab nose, shown on exhibit

Fokker D.VII

Object
Three-quarter front view of a single-seat WWI biplane fighter with wooden propeller,

Sopwith F.1 Camel

Object

Kodak A-2, Aerial, Camera

Object
See More Objects in this Exhibition
Painted hat inside a ring. Story

The World Goes to War: 1914-1918

A young white man in a World War I military uniform poses with his arms crossed in front of a biplane. Story

What Did It Mean to Be a Flying Ace?

Frank Luke Jr standing and posing for a portrait. Story

Honoring World War I “Balloon Buster" Frank Luke Jr.

Man in military uniform sits crosslegged on a chair Story

Days of Remembrance: World War I Aviator Dezsö Becker

Three women pose for a photo. One sits in front while the two others flank her on either side. They are all wearing military uniforms. Story

Women's Unparalleled Contributions to Aviation During World War I

The Museum gratefully acknowledges those who have generously supported this gallery.

World War I: The Birth of Military Aviation is made possible by the generous support of:

Aramont Charitable Foundation

Kettering Family Philanthropies

Mark Dunkerley and Marilia Duffles

 

The photograph immerses the viewer in the World War I gallery. Immediately in front of them is a World War I uniform and an engine with prongs radiating out from a circular center. Above the case with those artifacts, two biplanes hang as though in flight.

World War I mechanic Wilber E. Goodhart's service uniform next to a Le Rhȏne Model J rotary engine.

 

Inside a gallery, the photograph showcases four World War I era biplanes, one sitting on the ground and three hanging as though in flight. In the back corner is also a balloon basket. On the right wall are a variety of other artifacts.

A range of aircraft, including the Fokker D. VII and the Sopwith F.1 Camel, on display.

 

Girl looking up at astronaut suit model at the National Air and Space Museum.

Museum Transformation

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A major renovation is underway as we reimagine our galleries and presentation spaces in our iconic National Mall building in Washington, DC. Join us as we inspire a new generation of pioneers and explorers.

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