The Century of Flight

Episode Synopsis

How the aeroplane went to war, with the development of the combat aircraft from the unarmed reconnaissance types to specialised fighters. The program includes simulated air combat by replica fighters in colour, reviews the part played by aircraft in the early part of World War I including the coming of the Fighting Scout. Also featured is the heyday of air fighting on the western front, 1917-18, including fighter ground attack, the great aces and the way in which the legacy of these years inspired pilots in the modern day.