The Complete History of Air Combat

With fantastic historic footage, take a trip through the birth and development of modern air power. When America entered World War I, its air power was ranked 14th in the world. By the end of the war, nearly 1,500 planes were ready to attack., completely overtaking Germany, long thought to be the superior in the realm of air power.

Grab a front row seat to some of the world's most momentous events including the Japensese attack on Manchuria and the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party. As the world was undergoing significant changes so was the miltary air power. From the B-9 in the 1930s to the firrst four-engine bomber, the B-17, air might was in a constant battle against itself in the early part of the 21st century.

As the Second world War rages, watch how America builds up its air power even before getting dragged into the conflict. As early as 1939, President Roosevelt stepped up the production of military aircraft, leading to decisive victories by American forces on both the Western and Pacific fronts after they entered the war in 1941.

Follow B-17 Fortresses as they begin their high altitude bombing missions of Nazi-occupied Europe. Over in the Pacific, see P-38 Lightning fighters shoot down Japanese aircraft as the Allies and their air combaters turn the tides of war in their favor.

This riveting documentary tells the exciting story of air power in action. From top-secret strategy meetings between German generals before the battle at El Alamein to their shock at the surprise Allied victory in the desert, find out how Allied General Bernard Montgomery and his air troops gained this decisive victory.

Between the wars US Army Aviation Cadets were trained at Kelly and Randoph Fields in Texas. This historic program shows you the making of great air combat leaders and takes us to the point where the pilots get their Silver Wings and Gold Bars of the Second Lieutenant of what was then the US Army Air Corp.

Watch as a B-17 Flying Fortress and its crew fights its way over Nazi occupied Europe, battling the enemy's ME-109s and FW-190s. Witness all the fear and excitement of air combat as fighters spit out machine gun fire and brave deadly ground fire at the same time in the name of vitory for their country.

Over 19,000 of these durable four-engine heavy bombers were commissioned for the war effort - more than any other American aircraft, miltary or civilian. Now you can follow this rugged weapon into actual combat during the Second World War with this rare glimpse of the world's most utilized heavy bomber in action.

Get a bird's eye view of WWII in the air over Germany and see America's finest fighters in action. From P-47 Thunderbolts to P-51 Mustangs, watch the action far above the clouds and witness the execution of air-to-air combat from the initial Top Command planning to the annihilation of the enemy.

This episode explores the role of Allied air power in conquering Europe during WWII. For much of WWII, the German Luftwaffe was virtually indestructible, churning out planes at a rate of one every quarter-hour. By 1944, the Allies turned the tide. The "Big Week" kicked off on February 20, 1944. Reaching Berlin within the month, the onslaught was but a prelude to bigger things to come.

In this episode, witness the importance of air power in the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 and, more specifically, the role played by the 101st Airborne Division. On June 5, General Dwight Eisenhower delivered a rousing speech intended to boost the morale of the division and help make them pivotal in the success of the Normandy invasion.

Just one week after D-Day, France was home to more than 500,000 Allied soldiers. Victory in the Skies deals with the Alli's incredible advance across Europe in the days following the invasion at Normandy. Air power was the driving force in the Allied push towards victory, crushing the German Luftwaffe and pulverizing Japan as Hiroshima just a year later.

On June 24, 1948, the Soviets attempted to blockade the city of Berlin. This episode tells the story of how American General Lucius Clay attempted to feed starving Berliners by air, a feat that had never before been attempted.

The U.S. Carrier Task Force becomes an integral floating base that is instantly responsive and capable of high-speed transit to anywhere in the world. The carrier is the self-contained strike force. Follow its evolution through interviews with real Navy pilots and travel in time from the early fleets of WWII to the technological mastery of today's modern aircraft carriers.

This episode dramatically details the outbreak of the world's first jet war. On June 24, 1950, Communist North Korea invaded her sister to the south, forcing a war. Within days, America had F-80s knocking out Communist supply lines. By the fall, C-47s and C-199s pulled off one of the best-managed air drops in history - all on enemy territory.

Imagine being an Air Force serviceman during WWII. Eager to serve your country, you signed up for battle. You then have just 12 short weeks to master the ins and outs of aircraft warfare - and you're barely old enough to drive a car! More than 2,000,000 of these same men underwent this exact scenario during the war and produced an Allied air force that was truly a force to be reckoned with.

The post WWII years were a technological boom period. Watch the history of rockets and missiles as the world's first guided missile is created during WWI. Witness the first operational jet bomber, the B-47 as it takes over from its predecessor, the WWII stalwart B-29. From the formation of NATO to the tensions of the Cold War, missiles and aerospace power were never before in finer form.

Strap in and get set for the real Top Gun! This episode takes you aboard the U.S. Navy Battle Group and its Top Gun-fighter, the F-14 Tomcat. See the day-to-day operations of a nuclear carrier at sea, and witness an at-sea air defense that is second to none.

Take a closer look at the scope of the U.S air power during the Vietnam war. From the bomb showers inflicted by the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, to the crash landings performed by C-123 Providers intended to supply provisions and air lift soldiers and civilians, see how air power changed the war.