The Century of Flight — Season 1, Episode 5: The Trailblazers
Documentary • 50 min • 1 season, 26 episodes
Episode synopsis
A review of the great long distance flights and those aviators who achieved them including colour re-enactments by restored and replica aircraft. The great transatlantic flights are featured together with those to the Orient and Africa. The conquering of the Pacific is covered including Amelia Earhart and the mystery of her disappearance, how both Poles were overflown and the way in which these early exploration craft paved the way for modern airliners.
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?