Mayday!

The thrilling stories of those who looked to the skies and dared to dream of flight

''Gripping… dazzling tales of madness and derring do.'' Brian Clegg

In a world without aircraft, to believe flight might be possible required a certain kind of character. You had to be starry-eyed, a possessor of practical ingenuity, nerves of steel and a level of sanity that would be best described as deficient.

I...