About this season
In 1903, not only did the Wright brothers ’plane soar, but a young man named William Boeing stepped out of the Yale University gates. 13 years later, using wood, canvas and wire, the first "Boeing model", the B&W, was born. Boeing has since grown into a huge company and developed countless models, including the 1957-92 passenger jet, the 707. Later, we learn about the Constellation designed by Lockheed in the early 1940s. The fuselage of the machine evokes the graceful form of a dolphin, no wonder that with its beauty it also won the title of "Queen of Heaven". The C-69 was the first model to cross non-stop America, covering the Los Angeles-Washington DC distance in record time of 7 hours and 3 minutes. Connies were used for both military and civilian purposes until the early 1960s. This and many more stories are recounted here in Great Planes.
Episodes (13)
1. McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
Aired 1 January 1989
2. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
Aired 1 January 1989 • 60 min
The McDonnell-Douglas F-4 entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1960, and was later adopted by the Air Force and the armed forces of 10 other countries.
3. Grumman F4F Wildcat/F6F Hellcat
Aired 1 January 1989
4. Martin B-57 Canberra
Aired 1 January 1989 • 55 min
Designed in the 1940s, modified during the 1950s, in service in the 1960s, and state of the art in the 1970s, the B-57 evolved to fill the gap between fighter planes and bombers. This high-speed model also served with the airforces of Taiwan and Pakistan and, in both cases as with those in U.S service, saw combat with distinction.
5. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Aired 1 January 1989
6. Republic F-105 Thunderchief
Aired 1 January 1989
7. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
Aired 1 January 1989 • 59 min
So small and tubular that some called it the Flying Missile, the F-104 had wings so thin that the leading edge had to be protected by a cover when it was on the ground.
8. McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
Aired 1 January 1989
9. North American B-25 Mitchell
Aired 1 January 1989
10. North American P-51 Mustang
Aired 1 January 1989
11. Martin B-26 Marauder
Aired 1 January 1989
12. Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Aired 1 January 1989
13. Boeing 747
Aired 1 January 1989