![]() Aviation materials were chosen to be suitable for the planes to take flight, but also to act as artistic decorations. The latest technical and mechanical discoveries were treated as actual works of art, thus making the aesthetic component as important as the technological advancement. In the period from the Pioneer Era of the aviation until the end of World War I (1906–1918), advancements in chemical science 1, 2, 3 and the fast evolution of aircraft technology led to the harmonious coexistence of traditional craftsmanship with scientific innovation. From the first Wright Brothers’ flights to the latest air- and space-crafts, a wide variety of new synthetic organic and inorganic materials has been introduced and tested to push forward the potential of aviation technology and to improve aeronautical performances. This study presents one of the first steps into the study of early historical aircrafts, defining the background for the conservation plans to preserve these objects for future generations.Īn increasing number of museums has recently introduced historical airplanes in their collections and exhibitions, making them part of our Cultural Heritage. A chemical investigation was undertaken to unveil the materials, and to elucidate the causes of the degradation. In the last years, the fabric sections of the airplane have started to become brittle and loose cohesion, severely compromising the integrity of the aircraft, and resulting in a general alteration of the pictorial layers of the painted sections. The Italian biplane Ansaldo A.1 (1918) is a fighter aircraft and is one of the few planes in the world that still preserves its own original materials. The study of the materials used in these early years of aviation is still an uncharted territory: a vast portion of remaining planes has been partially or completely repaired and restored, usually by total replacement of the fabric. From the Pioneer Era of the aviation to World War I the evolution of aircraft technology and chemical synthesis enabled a unique coexistence of traditional craftsmanship, artistic decoration practices, and technological advancements. ![]()
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