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.
Best Episodes of Great Planes
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
S2 Ep2
9.0
1st Jan 1989
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.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat
S1 Ep3
9.0
1st Jan 1988
Defending the U.S. Navy's Aircraft Carriers the F-14 Tomcat has become as well-known for its production deadlines as for the skill of its pilots, whose mettle was tested at the Gulf of Sidra and celebrated in the film "Top Gun".
Worst Episodes of Great Planes
General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
S1 Ep2
7.0
1st Jan 1988
The story of the fighter that became a bomber. The F-111 set new standards of design, but had to wrestle with adapting high technology.
Martin B-57 Canberra
S2 Ep4
7.0
1st Jan 1989
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.
Great Planes Episode Guide
General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
S1 Ep2
7.0
1st Jan 1988
The story of the fighter that became a bomber. The F-111 set new standards of design, but had to wrestle with adapting high technology.
Grumman F-14 Tomcat
S1 Ep3
9.0
1st Jan 1988
Defending the U.S. Navy's Aircraft Carriers the F-14 Tomcat has become as well-known for its production deadlines as for the skill of its pilots, whose mettle was tested at the Gulf of Sidra and celebrated in the film "Top Gun".
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
S1 Ep21
7th Apr 1988
Roughly twice the weight of other World War II fighters, the Jug's cumbersome appearance belied its speed and firepower. As frontline fighters, escorts for heavy bombers, and fighter-bombers, the sturdy planes saw action in both Europe and the Pacific.
Douglas A-1 Skyraider
S1 Ep25
11th Apr 1988
The consummate carrier jet, the A-1 was such a success that the Navy used it for three decades. Air Force engineers considered its design the pinnacle of piston-powered aviation.
