The Century of Flight — Season 1, Episode 23: The Parachute Story
Documentary • 50 min • 1 season, 26 episodes
Episode synopsis
How parachuting has evolved over the century. Parachute formation team in action and military para drop. The early days - from Garnerin’s first parachute descent in a balloon in 1797 to the first parachute jump from an aircraft in 1912. The parachute goes to war - use by balloon observers during World War I but aircraft crews had to do without until German pilots were given them in 1918. Parachuting into battle - formation of Russian and German paratroop formations in late 1930s, German airborne operations 1939-41, Anglo-US airborne operations 1941-45. Some colour and maps included. Military parachuting post 1945 - operations will include Korea, French Indo-China and Algeria, Suez 1956, SAS jungle parachuting Malaya 1950s, Belgian Paras in the Congo 1964, French hostage rescue Kolwezi 1979, and paratroop training. Some colour. Sport parachuting post 1945 - including display teams and free-fall parachuting, ledge jumping and paraboarding. All colour.
About The Century of Flight
This definitive history of manned flight has been compiled into 26 hour episodes, with access to some of the rarest archive film ever taken. Unprecedented co-operation has been extended by the world's leading aircraft manufacturers and leading archive libraries. Included in the footage are shots of rare prototype accidents and failures which contributed to the inevitable achievement and success of man in the air. Since Charles Lindbergh became the first lone aviator to cross the Atlantic in 1927, air transport has greatly accelerated , revolutionised by the giant Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet - and what might we see in the 21st century?