Jonathan Moore

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.

Getting information about the enemy is vital in war, and today's aerial spies have science fiction capabilities unheard of even a few years ago. Reconnaissance and Intelligence Aircraft uses hitherto unreleased film to take you on active deployment with the pick of today's aircraft and equipment. Featured are dedicated, as well as podded, battlefield reconnaissance jet fighters and attack-aircraft and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) machines. The programme also includes remotely piloted vehicles and dedicated electronic warfare and jamming aircraft. Reconnaissance and Intelligence Aircraft is accompanied by a detailed script by aviation expert Bill Gunston.

From bombers to jet fighters, the United States relied heavily on its powerful air force during the Vietnam War. Through amazing archival footage, this program explores the types of U.S. aircraft used in combat and the impact they had on the war. Because the Vietnam War was the most-filmed war in history, there's plenty of excellent footage allowing viewers to experience dangerous missions almost firsthand.

Modern and historic footage tells the story of the war horse of the 12 Western air forces. The carrier-based Phantom II won its spurs in Vietnam where its extraordinary capabilities led to adaptation for land-based rolls ranging from ground attack through battlefield reconnaissance to defense suppression. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II covers the first development of the type and its powerful engine and includes a walk-round of an F-4B. The Phantom then joins the fleet and US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Air Forces machines see action in Vietnam.

Stealth or LO (Low-Observables) Governs the design of all today's combat aircraft.

Experience how the Phantom II won its spurs in Vietnam and became a world beater in an extraordinary variety of roles.

The Tornado was designed to meet the needs of Britain's Royal Air Force, Germany's Luftwaffe and Marineflieger and Italy's Aeronautica Militare Italiano. No aircraft before or since has packed such striking power into such a compact package. The initial production model was used by all the original customers and Saudi Arabia. In late 1990, Tornados formed the spearhead of UN striking power in the Gulf, ready to hack it 'for real' at a moment's notice. Tornado IDS can hurtle down steep-sided valleys carrying an 8,000 lb bomb load without using any of the pylons on its pivoting swing wings. It is the fastest aircraft in the world at treetop height, at 800 knots, and has been cleared to carry more types of stores than any other warplane. The Tornado ECR - electronic combat and recon - version is packed with advanced avionics for finding and defeating hostile defence systems.