The story of how a small band of pioneering aircraft designers and engineers invented modern warfare in the four years between 1914 and 1918, turning the aeroplane from an eccentric novelty to the decisive weapon of modern conflict. The programme includes a series of dazzling aerial experiments, as present-day test pilots push the meticulously re-created planes to the limit.
On both sides of the war, experimental engineers scrabbled for superiority of the skies, with British pioneers like Geoffrey de Havilland competing to out do Anton Fokker, the Dutchman whose planes helped Germany to dominate the sky. These were men working in the dark with a brand-new technology, battling the scepticism of their superiors while the fate of thousands of men rested on their ability to beat the enemy to the next engineering breakthrough.
Demonstrations and experiments with the aviators show the mechanical evolution of military air power by the Allies and Germany to reveal how visionary technology saw the emergence of the first fighter planes and a major shift in modern warfare. The rivalry between German and Allied engineers pushed the planes to new heights. We see how the need for accurate sketches led to changes in planes, how complications with air-to-ground communications led to advanced radios and, crucially, how the need to protect the pilots led to race for plane armament and the development of the first all-purpose fighter plane.
With no living survivors from the Great War, the experiences and knowledge from the Vintage Aviators flying and making these machines provide an opportunity to reveal these unsung heroes of World War I, and how the most pioneering branch of the military played a crucial part in winning the war.
Comments (18)
1 year ago
Andrew
Although shown in the film (there were 2 replicas flying), the Bristol Fighter didn't get a mention either. This aircraft was still in service with the RAF long after the war.
1 year ago
Nick
So where can one find a list of the songs used in this prentation? I simply cannot find one and there are two songs at lest that I've been chasing down for a while.
1 year ago
ben
What fokker? the tridekker? it was a death trap, the wings delaminated and it was underpowered. It was also difficult to fly.
1 year ago
Stephen
This was an interesting programme and well worth watching but it seemed to have an anti-German slant. For instance, the last Fokker which was superior to any allied aircraft, was barely mentioned. However the most glaring oversight in the entire programme was the failure to even mention the single most iconic aircraft (deserved or not) of WW1 - the Fokker triplane. This was the preferred mount of the top fighter ace of WW1 with 80 victories to prove it! Who was this guy? Baron Manfred von Richtoven - famous for his blood-red Fokker triplane - Yep, the bloody red baron! The programme didn't mention him either. Someone else mentioned the error in the stated magazine capacity of the Lee-Enfield and wondered what other errors there might be. Well, there's a few more now. As I said, I thought it had an anti-German slant - but good for all that. It's a pity so much potential was missed.
1 year ago
Jeff
Since the change over to digital I have not been able to watch Channel 5 on TV or online. What a bloody joke. Bring back analogue. Playing it back online is a waste of time as it freezes every 60 seconds and the screen goes blank for about 3 minutes. It looks like I will never see this film. Poo happens
1 year ago
richard
You have never been trained with the SMLE, you never put a round up the spout first, and then loaded it with another two clips of five, you could have fired it. You always put the ten rounds in and then closed the bolt on an empty breech until you needed it for action. 1947 to 1952 regular.
1 year ago
Chris Toyne
A wonderful program. Reminded me of the visit I made to Masterton Airport in Dec 2010 where I was shown round the hanger. Anyone going to New Zealand this is a must. Very friendly folk running the show; made me feel very special.
1 year ago
Fred
clips. This fact is easily checked by Googling "Lee Enfield". In action the user would chamber a round then load 2 five round clips into the magazine giving 11 rounds of ammunition for the first engagement.
1 year ago
Ian
Good program but I spotted one factual error which begs the question are there more errors? The error I spotted was the statement that the Lee Enfield Rife had a 5 round magazine. The Lee Enfield had a 10 round magazine loaded by means of 2 five round clips. This fact is easily checked by Googling "Lee Enfield". In action the user would chamber a round then load 2 five round clips into the magazine giving 11 rounds of ammunition for the first engagement.
1 year ago
richard
sweet
1 year ago
Stewpot
Great stuff! It takes a war, for technology to progress so rapidly.
1 year ago
Stephen Hanna
Fab program, may even watch it again. I like Terry would also like to get involved in a project like this. If you like flight you`ll love this. Real gladiators of the sky.
1 year ago
mel
Unfortunately wars have been the major cause for advancing technology
1 year ago
nath
good program but kept freezing and when refreshed you have to watch all the adverts again... wish channel 5 would put some effort into there online services... take a leaf from 4OD, when you restart a program it begins from where it stopped...
1 year ago
Jonathan Titterton
Good show but as a player of wargames and doing a WW1 dogfight wargame there's 1 plane the British made which was like the Ferrari of it's day. the Albion.
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This comment was removed by a moderator
1 year ago
Terry Rollo
What a great programe can we have some more.I did n.v.q carpentry and joinery at college and would love to be involved in a project like the one in New Zealand.