Air, Land and Sea 3 part series - The Story of Flight

Man had been attempting to fly for hundreds of years but it was not until the Wright brothers made their historic first flight in 1903 that powered, controllable flight became a reality.

The Story of Flight, narrated by Tom Baker, tells the complete story of aviation from its pioneering days tat the start of the 20th century through to a celebration of its a achievement 100 years later.

This programme features archive footage that documents the earlier experiments with flight ( as well as some of the heroic failures!) including Louis Bleriot who made the first flight across the English Channel in 1909.

The programme moves on to chronicle the rise in the importance of air-power during the World Wars, with incredible footage of the Sopwith Camel and Fokker Ti-planes of World War 1, and the Lancaster bombers, Messerschmitts and Spitfires that fought for control of the skies in World War II.

Between the wars we see Alcock and Brown complete the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber, in 1919, a plane that also helped pioneer the evolution of passenger travel. Charles Lindbergh went one better in 1927 by achieving the first solo flight across the Atlantic and Amelia Earhart became the first woman to do this a year later.

Our of WWII came the jet age the with the Messerschmitt ME 262 the first jet-fighter and the Comet the first jet airliner. The first Jumbo Jet flew in 1966 and aviation reached new heights and speeds with the launch of Concorde in 1969, a plane that finally retired from service some 25 years later.

The programme is brought up to date with the latest Airbus A340-600 as well as a look at the amazing developments of military aircraft including the deadly Stealth Bomber.

Add in a look at rockets and space shuttles as well as celebrations of the centenary of flight from Biggin Hill and other airshows and you have the complete story of 100 years of flight

Category:

Education

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