Great Planes

E1 Episode 1: F100 Super Sabre

• Now playing
• Jul 10, 2009

E2 Episode 2: F4 Phantom

• Jul 17, 2009

E3 Episode 3: SR71 Blackbird

• Jul 24, 2009

E4 Episode 4: A7 Corsair

• Jul 31, 2009

The F4U was arguably the finest propeller-driven fighter on the Allied side. It was the first single-engine American fighter to break 400 miles per hour in level flight. It was first driven by a Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp engine of 1800 horsepower, about as powerful as they could get at the time. Vought simply built the smallest airframe they could around the huge radial engine. To maximize performance, a 13-foot Hamilton Standard Propeller was used. It was originally designed to be operated from an aircraft carrier but the US Navy decided it was unsuitable for precise landings and take offs, so they handed it over to the Marines for land-based use. It proved highly successful both as a fighter and in the ground attack role. It continued in use as an attack airplane through the Korean war, and the last Corsair was produced in 1953.

E5 Episode 5: A26 Invader

• Aug 7, 2009

The A-26 Invader was introduced in October, 1944, and was involved in every conflict that followed until finally retired in 1969. There was no other airplane quite like it. It was a twin-engine medium bomber or ground attack aircraft that excelled at both tasks. The famous B-17 heavy bomber could carry about 8,000 pounds of bombs and could make a top speed of about 270 miles per hour. The A-26 carried half that load at 350 miles per hour and, with emergency boosters, up to more than 370. The ground attack version carried eight .50 caliber machine guns in the nose. The top turret carried two more and could be aimed ahead to supplement the eight fixed guns. With cheek packs added, the total came to eighteen heavy machine guns.

E6 Episode 6: P39 Aircobra

• Aug 14, 2009

E7 Episode 7: Chinook

• Aug 28, 2009

E8 Episode 8: Bell UH-1 Huey

• Aug 28, 2009

E9 Episode 9: B52 Stratofortress

• Oct 29, 2009