Great Planes Season 1, Episode 18: Grumman F-6F Hellcat

Boeing B-29 Superfortress

General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark

The story of the fighter that became a bomber. The F-111 set new standards of design, but had to wrestle with adapting high technology.

Grumman F-14 Tomcat

Defending the U.S. Navy's Aircraft Carriers the F-14 Tomcat has become as well-known for its production deadlines as for the skill of its pilots, whose mettle was tested at the Gulf of Sidra and celebrated in the film "Top Gun".

Convair B-36 Peacemaker

North American XB-70 Valkyrie

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Douglas DC-3/C-47 Dakota

North American F-86 Sabre

British Aerospace/McDonnell Douglas Harrier

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter

North American F-100 Super Sabre

Lockheed Constellation

Episode 17

Martin B-57 Canberra

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Roughly twice the weight of other World War II fighters, the Jug's cumbersome appearance belied its speed and firepower. As frontline fighters, escorts for heavy bombers, and fighter-bombers, the sturdy planes saw action in both Europe and the Pacific.

58 min

McDonnell-Douglas F-15 Eagle

Douglas A-26 Invader

Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Douglas A-1 Skyraider

The consummate carrier jet, the A-1 was such a success that the Navy used it for three decades. Air Force engineers considered its design the pinnacle of piston-powered aviation.

45 min

Vought F4U Corsair