History of Aviation

Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty

The greatest art works of all time - born of war and bloodshed - as rival artists Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael compete to craft beauty from chaos. Starring Charles Dance.

The Century of Flight

This definitive history of manned flight has been compiled into 26 hour episodes, with access to some of the rarest archive film ever taken. Unprecedented co-operation has been extended by the world's leading aircraft manufacturers and leading archive libraries. Included in the footage are shots of rare prototype accidents and failures which contributed to the inevitable achievement and success of man in the air. Since Charles Lindbergh became the first lone aviator to cross the Atlantic in 1927, air transport has greatly accelerated , revolutionised by the giant Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet - and what might we see in the 21st century?

Chasing the Moon

An unprecedented look at the decade-long odyssey to land a man on the moon. This documentary pulls back the curtain on the familiar narrative of the moonshot, revealing a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama.

Planes That Never Flew

Planes That Never Flew is a Discovery Channel documentary series about experimental aircraft projects that never flew. Over four one-hour episodes, the series examined the history behind aborted projects to build two jet fighters, a supersonic transport, and a nuclear-powered long range bomber.

John Lennon: Murder Without a Trial

For the first time, key figures from John Lennon's life and death—including friends, doctors, and investigators—share personal memories and reveal what happened on the night of his killing.

AFP: American Fighter Pilot

AFP: American Fighter Pilot is a reality series broadcast briefly on CBS in 2002. It followed three Air Force officers as they trained to become pilots of F-15 fighter jets at Tyndall Air Force Base outside of Panama City, Florida. The series included footage of their experiences in the air, as well as interactions with their families and instructors. Directors Tony Scott and Ridley Scott were co-executive producers. Unsuccessful in the ratings, the series was cancelled after two episodes.

Maui Chopper

The lush Hawaiian Islands provide a dramatic backdrop as the pilots of Windward Aviation risk injury and even death as they perform rescues in this tropical paradise.

The Bomber: Terror of WWII

Terror of the World: The story of a deadly war that intertwines Germany, Poland, Japan, Italy and Spain, and the remorseless development of weapons and bombers.

The Flying Boats

The story of flying boats is one of ingenuity and enterprise; of style during the dying days of Britain's imperial grandeur; of Coastal Command's war against the U-boats and of post-war skepticism that hastened their end. For all those who flew in them the flying boats were unique and unforgettable.

Planes That Changed the World

This new series features the fascinating stories of three of the most important commercial aircraft ever to take to the skies.

21st Century Jet: The Building of the 777

The Boeing Company develops their most technically advanced aircraft: the 777. From corporate conference rooms to factory floors, its extensive testing and first commercial flight, more than 10,000 people were involved in the creation of the new plane, assembled with parts from all over the world.

Atlantes

City in the Sky

Dallas Campbell and Dr Hannah Fry investigate what it takes to get a million people and their luggage off the ground and up in the air. From building the world's biggest passenger plane to navigating through the busiest airport on the planet, to the perils of getting airborne in the coldest city on earth - Dallas and Hannah go to extremes to get under the skin of the remarkable story of departure. You will never look at flying in the same way again.

America: Facts vs. Fiction

History as we generally know it is full of holes or half-truths, and a mother lode of juicy details have been lost, distorted, covered up or simply ignored along the way. Former Naval officer and actor Jamie Kaler is on a mission to set the record straight on the most familiar and beloved stories from our nation's and military's past, filling in the blanks, debunking the occasional myth, and exploring why we sometimes get our own history, well, slightly wrong

Jesus and Islam

Jesus of Nazareth, the founding figure of Christianity, is also an exceptional character in the Koran. Why? In what way? A deep investigation around the world exploring the rise of Islam during the time of prophet Muhammad.

Air Australia

Australia's aviation history is a saga of daring feats, can-do attitude, pig-headed visionaries, iron-fisted politicians and warring pilots; of humble beginnings and mega deals.

Skies Above Britain

A look at the unseen side of aviation. With unprecedented access to the world of air traffic control, the series puts the spotlight on the hidden army of controllers whose job it is to keep our skies safe.

The Secrets of Quantum Physics

Professor of physics Jim Al-Khalili investigates the most accurate and yet perplexing scientific theory ever - quantum physics.

100 Years Ago: From Berlin to the World

A century ago, the world experienced a revolution in mobility. Cities like Berlin grew rapidly, with the Graf Zeppelin soaring over the city in 1928, sparking excitement for airship travel. These majestic airships made ocean crossings faster and more luxurious, and even enabled polar expeditions. At the same time, automobiles and motorcycles became staples for many, although streets became congested. Women like Amelia Earhart and Elly Beinhorn broke barriers in aviation, inspiring new possibilities for both genders in the field of technology. While air travel grew in popularity, trains remained the main long-distance transport. The era also saw an explosion of new mobility options, with faster, cheaper ways to travel across the globe, making the world seem smaller and more connected. However, this golden age of mobility would be cut short by the outbreak of World War II.

First Flights with Neil Armstrong

NASA Apollo astronaut Neil Armstrong adds to his long list of space flight & aviation accomplishments as he takes the controls of a variety of flying machines. Each episode blends historic footage, interviews, and flying. Armstrong takes you on an exhilarating adventure through time.