Reaching for the Skies: Few aspects of the history of aviation match the vitality, drama and scale of the World War II fighter planes. As the strategists discovered the advantages of these warships of the skies, armies rarely moved across the battlefield without the security of air cover. This episode evokes the life and times of the fighter pilot and his aircraft, from World War II to the present...of individual determination and technological innovation working together in synchronous perfection. From Korea to the Middle East, to Vietnam, here is the testing ground for skill, technology, and, above all, human courage and self-sacrifice. The film begins with the EAP, and by far the most romantic musical expression of the main theme, played on piano. The first fighter looked at after the credits is the General Dynamics F-16, accompanied by a soft-rock electric guitar solo. The first fighter looked at in detail is the North American P-51 Mustang. Film of preserved airworthy examples of the Confederate Airforce is used, and among the group formation is the sole airworthy P-51H. P-51 aces discuss their memories of combat over Germany in conjunction with bomber forces, and include Brig. General Robin Olds, and Brig. General Charles Yeager. The Spitfire is examined in passing, and intriguingly a test pilot of the Dornier 335 Pfiel talks about his impressions. The development of Jet fighters is next, and a short amount of time is spent examining the Gloster E38/39 Pioneer, followed by the Messerschmidt 262 Schwalbe. Thereafter the Korean War becomes the subject. MiG Alley, and the contest between Sabre and MiG-15 is again reminisced about by the Aces. General Olds is again a fund of information, with humorous comments about early Sabre strength and reliability, though with praise for more mature variants. Thereafter, Vietnam, at the time the last significant air engagement the USAF had fought. General Olds again gives much insight into the weakness of the missile-only F-4 Phantom. Randy Cunningham, and other aces talk about their experiences with SAM's, and the experiences gained being instrumental in the development of the Top Gun weapons school as well as the Aggressor Squadron of the USAF for pilot training. The film ends with an examination of future technologies for fighter aircraft, some of which have long been abandoned, and others which are modern tactical reality.

Starring:

Robert Vaughn

Genre:

Documentary