[sci.military] Wings

nelson_p@apollo.com (12/06/89)

From: nelson_p@apollo.com


   I've recently noticed a new TV series on the Discovery
   (cable) Channel called 'Wings'.   It is a one-hour show
   with each show featuring a specific aircraft or aircraft
   company.   I've seen shows on the P-47, F111, F105, B25, 
   Fokker, and SAAB-Scania (including footage of J39 flights)
   and I'm sure there are many more that I've missed.  From
   the accent of the narrator I'd say the show is produced
   in Australia.  

   This show is head-and-shoulders above any other military - 
   related TV show I've ever seen.  Its hour-length and its
   concentration on a single subject allows it to go into
   FAR more detail than the other shows.   When they do an
   aircraft they talk at length about the design philosophy
   and show lots of footage of early prototypes and of variants
   (there was footage of the B25's with the 75mm gun in the
   nose firing it in action, for instance).   Another thing 
   I like about this show is the way it doesn't 'talk down'
   to the audience.  They can use words like "Forward Looking
   Infra Red" or "afterburner" without feeling like they have
   to stop to explain them.  

   All-in-all a good show for the enthusiast or military history
   buff.   Question:  does anyone know if back episodes are 
   available on videotape?

                                              ---Peter