Planes That Changed History

During the Battle of Britain, the fate of a nation rested on the legendary Supermarine Spitfire as it stood between Nazi Germany and the invasion of southern England. Explore the incredible engineering and aerial tactics that made this plane so iconic.

The British Avro Vulcan pushed the boundaries of long-distance flying, completing one of the longest bombing raids in history during the 1982 Falklands War.

The groundbreaking story of Concorde, a flying marvel that has become synonymous with speed. After beating out the USA and the Soviet Union in a high-stakes international race to achieve supersonic air travel, Concorde left its mark on history.

In 1981, the F-117 Nighthawk became the world's first stealth aircraft. Explore how its futuristic design made this unconventional aircraft all but invisible to radar. A decade after its inception, the Nighthawk was put to the test in the Gulf War to help thwart the military might of Saddam Hussein.

The Douglas DC-3 was an aviation revolution, transforming the world of air travel by flying faster, farther and more safely than any other passenger plane. Later, it was reinvented to help the Allies secure victory in World War II.

During World War II, the B-17 became a formidable fortress of the skies. Uncover the technological and strategic innovations that made the B-17 a key to D-Day success, and later, Allied victory.

The Hawker Harrier flies as fast as a jet and hovers like a helicopter. Uncover the groundbreaking technology behind this unique ability and how the Harrier became crucial for Britain in the Falklands War.

The Airbus BelugaXL is a gravity-defying giant. Its incredible engineering allows it to fly oversized cargo across Europe and remains one of the biggest aircraft in commercial service.

Discover the Chinook, the heavy-lift helicopter that rewrote the rules of aviation. Born in 1950s America, the Chinook entered service in Vietnam. Its bent airframe and tandem rotors gave it a huge lift capability, transforming U.S. military strategy.

Boeing dared to design the largest passenger aircraft of its time, and creating the 747 was no small task. The story of the "queen of the skies" is one of groundbreaking innovation, high risks, and even higher stakes.