About this season
Planes That Never Flew is a Discovery Channel documentary series about experimental aircraft projects that never flew. Over four one-hour episodes, the series examined the history behind aborted projects to build two jet fighters, a supersonic transport, and a nuclear-powered long range bomber.
Episodes (4)
1. The Last Rocket Fighter
Aired 4 April 2003 • 47 min
The British-designed Saunders-Roe SR177, an advanced rocket plane that, though capable of climbing to the very edge of space, fell victim to sabotage by a rival aircraft company.
2. The American SST
Aired 11 April 2003 • 47 min
A documentary on the SST, America's answer to Concorde in the competition between Europe and the United States to build a supersonic airliner.
3. America's First Jet Fighter
Aired 18 April 2003 • 47 min
The history of 1950s icon the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, designed by engineer Clarence `Kelly' Johnson, who had previously failed in an attempt to create a supersonic fighter.
4. The Atomic Bomber
Aired 25 April 2003 • 47 min
The story behind plans for an atomic bomber that failed to progress from the drawing board.