Witness amazing moments in early aviation - from the official test flight of the Wright brothers' military plane in 1909 to Lt. Smith's death-defying, globe-circling adventure in 1924.
See highlights of military aviation in 1925 with the first flight of the Army's largest dirigible at Scott Field, III., meet American aviation pioneers and more.
Sailors from Navy technical schools at the Hampton Roads Base in Virginia prepare for action, conduct a mock battle, repair motors and much more.
The B-24 Liberator was a beautiful plane in a horrific war. See why pilots counted on it to bring them home alive and watch the first bomber mission in Europe on July 4, 1942.
See U.S. Air Force test pilots in the dangerous first flights of the XF rocket aircraft, C-130 Hercules and H-19 helicopter, and find out what "bioastronautics" is.
Ride along with Neil Armstrong in the X-15 rocket-powered aircraft - the plane that went faster and higher than any other craft on Earth. Then fly in an FAC F-100 fighter jet and hear the amazing stories of the crews who flew in the KC-135 tanker craft.
New recruits attend gunnery training programs. Featuring footage of Lieutenants Ronald Reagan and Burgess Meredith, and FDR signing the conscription law.
Director William Wyler's tautly effective documentary of this celebrated flying fortress and her dangerous final mission over Germany.
Carl Sandburg narrates this short documentary chronicling the manufacture, assembly, and flight of one fighting aircraft.
Helmed by veteran Hollywood directors William Wyler and John Sturges, and featuring voice work by James Stewart and Lloyd Bridges, this spectacular documentary offers a thrilling point-of-view color sequence of a P-47 bombing raid over Italy.
Clark Gable narrates and appears in the dramatized story of the 351st Bomber Group.
Responding to Axis aggression, the 30-year-old Army Air Corps (AAC) reorganizes to form the global, 15-forces-strong US Army Air Forces (AAF), with General "Hap" Arnold assuming command.
These cinematic exploits of the AAF in the North Pacific include missions to Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Featured segments: General "Hap" Arnold urging viewers to buy savings bonds, General Douglas MacArthur returning to the Philippines, and a commemoration of war correspondent Ernie Pyle.
Thrilling film of Allied forces on bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Italy, France, and Romania includes on-board footage of Thunderbolts preparing for attack by Focke-Wolf and Messerschmitt aircraft.
Archival footage from the Army Signal Corps and Army Air Services provides a cinematic summary of AAF accomplishments in 1943.
General Jimmy Doolittle briefs the 8th Air Force Fighter Command for an escort mission over Germany. Footage includes the downing of several German fighters and US bombers, and a photo montage of US fliers killed in action.
P-47 ("Thunderbolt") flight crews prepare to engage in the bombing of German industrial sites. Footage includes Thunderbolt take-off and flight information.
Climb into the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle or an F-16 Viper and fly off into the wild blue yonder. Experience the world of the US Air Force combat pilot as you fly over the arctic tundra monitoring Russian bombers and ride along in the cockpit over the sweltering desert of Iraq. Filled with wing to wing flying, strike missions and intensive training, you'll see what it's really like to be a sky warrior.
They say it's the most heart pounding flying in the world with a zero margin for error and few chances to get it right. Journey from a little known base in the Nevada desert to the hostile skies in an F-14 Tomcat or F/A-18 Hornet. You'll witness the intense training naval aviators endure long before ever heading to sea and the skill required to make contact with a pitching carrier deck in the middle of the ocean.
Venture back in time to when the former Soviet Union and the United States stood nose to nose in a high stakes nuclear stand off. Using rare, archival footage and current video, you'll witness the early days of jet fighters and bombers, a time when B-52s and B-58 Hustlers stood on nuclear alert and F-86 Sabres dueled with Chinese MIGS over North Korea. This remarkable, historical study highlights the amazing jets that protected North America and fought far off battles from the early 50's to late 80's.
They are often top secret, strange to look at and known for their colorful nicknames. Stealth Fighter, Blackbirds and Warthogs are just a few of the unusual jets that dominate the skies. Enter the shadowy world of spy planes flying at unheard of speeds and learn what it's like to be invisible to radar or support the troops with the most deadly canon ever put in an airplane. From practicing strike missions over the Arizona desert to piloting a spy plane over North Korea, you'll discover how they work and how they fly.
Strap yourself into the F/A-18 Hornet, the newest strike-fighter aircraft now operational with the US Navy, US Marine Corps and America's allies. From tree-top level to over 50,000 feet, marvel at the capabilities of this remarkable machine which has been nicknamed "The World's First Star Wars Fighter." The first fighter in modern air warfare to shoot down enemy fighters and then bomb its target with pinpoint accuracy, the new Super Hornet is the future of naval aviation.
For more than 30 years, the F-15 Eagle has been the world's prominent fighter aircraft. Designed for one purpose, to be the world's best fighter aircraft, it's never been defeated in the only true test for a fighter pilot and their aircraft - combat! Experience the thrill of mid-air refueling as Eagles deploy their fire power around the clock and around the world in freedom's defense and wonder at the F-15E Strike Eagle as it shares the skies with the new F/A-22 Raptor.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an aerodynamic masterpiece proven superior to today's combat arena. Designed to out-fight and armed to dominate, it is a fighter pilot's airplane. In this full-color panorama, pilots and crews give you a detailed look at the systems and weapons which make the F-16 the world's most popular multi-mission fighter. Go for a high powered ride with the new X-35 Joint Strike Fighter, American air power for the 21st century.
The F-14 Tomcat is the US Navy's carrier-based two-seat air defense, intercept, strike and reconnaissance aircraft. Push the edge at Fightertown USA, going head to head with the best of the best and see Tomcats splash real MiGs in a real twisting and turning high speed duel. Armed with a deadly mix of Phoenix, Sparrow, and Sidewinder missiles, the F-14 Tomcat maintains vigilance on three oceans and is imposing enough to keep the peace or turn the tide of conflict.
Low-level strikes in an F-16 Fighting Falcon, or soaring 30,000 fee in an F-15 Eagle: you'll earn your Wings of Silver after viewing these heart-pounding displays of United States Air Force flying skill. Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the F-117A fighter and the B-2 bomber - the one-two punch of the Stealth program. Includes a special performance by the Thunderbirds, the USAF precision aerobatics team.
It's aviation on the edge at 600 mph with Wings of Gold, the thrilling video magazine that transports you to the exciting world of aircraft carrier flight ops. Join the elite corps of pilots in the cockpit of an F-14 Tomcat engaged in a high-altitude duel with a Libyan MiG. Marvel at the handling of the F/A-18 Hornet, E-2C Hawkeye, AV-8B Harrier, and more, before joining the US Navy's Blue Angels in a stunning demonstration of precision flying prowess.
When you're battling real enemy MiGs over the skies of Iraq, you're piloting one of two types of aircraft: fighter or target. In Thunder From Above, you'll experience victory from inside the aircraft. Deploy on a low-level bombing run, fight knuckle-whitening G forces, and eavesdrop on a pilots-only tactical briefing - you're holding Zulu alert for fighter action!
The complete, gripping saga of Stealth program, now told for the very first time! Built in total secrecy, tested at night, Stealth aircraft were America's trump card for over ten years. In Nightstalkers, you'll check out the B-1 Lancer and fly with the F-117A, the B-2 bomber and the SR-71 Blackbird.