In today's world the embodiment of military might is the American aircraft carrier. These monoliths personify the essence of power and technical achievement. The weapons they have carried over the years have always been at the edge of industrial and scientific achievement and many of the planes used have become icons of aeronautic history.
In the annals of aeronautic history the plane that takes the place between Republics classic attack fighters, the P47 thunderbolt of the Second World War and their outstanding F105 Thunderchief in the skies of Vietnam, is often skipped over.
Over the years, airlines and manufactures have sought to make flight available to the masses and seat sizing and space per passenger were continually squeezed to make international travel affordable. In the short history of overseas air travel, there are perhaps only four or five planes that were built that could be considered quantum leaps in the expansion of intercontinental flight.
After the hectic development period of world war 2 and the ensuing rush into jet engine development, a successive series of fighter aircraft emerged that made their mark in aviation history. These planes epitomised the shape of the supersonic jet fighter; they were the Century Fighters.
We look at some of the planes that set in motion a very distinguished manufacturing and aircraft design giant. One of these masterpieces was the only American fighter to remain in production throughout the entire 2nd world war, this was the P-38 Lightning.
The need for an inexpensive, lightweight supersonic fighter that was easy to maintain, and capable of operating from short runways and poor quality airfields was fulfilled when this baby fighter went from the drawing board to become one of the most successful export products of the US military aircraft industry.
We look at the Vought Company and their major role in fighter development. In this episode we'll see the lineage of some of their designs including the A-7 Corsair II.
We'll continue with the design concepts of the Lockheed company and Kelly Johnson. These designs set the company and the man so far apart from their contemporaries at that time, that to this day in one design alone that gap has still not been breached.
During the early 1960's the US Air Force, asked for tenders to build and supply a large transporter. It was believed that Boeing had the edge over its competitors, Lockheed and Douglas. However, in 1965 the Air Force announced Lockheed had won the bid with their C5-Galaxy.
Developing aircraft requires huge expenditure. One company has on a number of occasions bet more than it's entire net worth. The company was Boeing and its gambles have paid off making it an aviation giant. In 1952 Boeing developed a prototype transport plane.
Two planes that standout in the history of flight shared a number of similarities. Both had a striking appearance. Both had a throaty roar from inline 12 cylinder motors. Both rightly or wrongly were credited for winning WWII. Two of the most popular war birds from WWII are the Spitfire and the Mustang.
Aircraft carrier development started as soon as the Wright brothers took to the air. However, it wasn't until WWII that the practice of using planes off floating platforms was tested in combat conditions. In this episode we explore the early development of the Aircraft Carrier.
Discover the excitement of flying as we reveal the most remarkable aircraft ever built and the aeronautical advancements that shaped flying history in Flying Through Time. Audiences will marvel at historic airships, be wowed by war planes and delight at luxury jetliners.