Classic Aviation Films 6-DVD Set

See dramatic footage you've never seen before of historic moments in flight from its beginning to hypersonic flight on the edge of space. Includes the Wright brothers, dramatic achievements of the '20s, footage of the famous and tragic raid on the Ploesti oil fields by B-24 Liberators in WWII, and the cutting edge XF and X-15 rocket planes as they scrape the upper edge of the atmosphere in the '50s and '60s.

6-DVD Collection Includes:

• Witness the official test flight of the Wright brothers'
• Ride along with Neil Armstrong in the remarkable X-15 rocket-powered aircraft
• Brings their dangerous lives into focus with historic test flights\

The incredible journey of Classic Aviation takes you from short flights across a field to the screaming hypersonic edge of space as you tour dramatic moments in the history of flight in this 6-DVD set. Begin with the Wright brothers in 1909 then follow a 1924 around-the-globe adventure by plane in Volume 1. American engineering takes center stage in Volume 2 and the training of future aviation support is profiled in Volume 3. Jump to shocking WWII footage of the famous and tragic raid on the Ploesti oil fields by B-24 Liberators in Volume 4. Feel the strain U.S. Air Force test pilots are subjected to in Volume 5. Strap in with Neil Armstrong in Volume 6 as he scrapes the upper edge of the atmosphere in the '50s and '60s with the cutting edge XF and X-15 rocket planes. From the birth of flight near the ground to its highest accomplishments in near space, enjoy the history of Classic Aviation

• DVD 1: 1909-1924
  Witness the official test flight of the Wright brothers' military plane in 1909, then join legendary Ace combat pilot Lt. Eddie Rickenbacker in 1918 as he accepts the Distinguished Service Cross for his remarkable courage in dramatic air battles over France and Germany in WWI. Circle the globe by plane in 1924 with Lt. Lowell Smith in an adventure featuring dramatic rescues at sea, exotic locales, and desperate repairs to make it back home alive. (66 min.)
• DVD 2: 1925
  Discover the highlights of military aviation during 1935 with the first flights of the Army's largest dirigible at Scott Field, Illinois. See first hand the ingenuity and courage of American aviation pioneers as clever animations and narration shows how the airship was constructed. The journey continues with a commemoration of the 38th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight. (57 min.)
• DVD 3: 1926
  The year is 1926 and you're put right in the heart of the Navy technical schools at the Hampton Roads Naval Base in Virginia. Watch sailors prepare for action as they conduct a mock battle, repair the motors and generators that will keep planes in the air, train at radio school, pore over test tubes in laboratory work, practice semaphoring that will one day be used on aircraft carriers, and much more. (73 min.)
• DVD 4: 1942-1944
  The B-24 Liberator was a beautiful plane in a horrific war — this DVD shows you why pilots and crew counted on it to bring them home alive. Witness the famous and tragic attack on the Ploesti fields in Romania. See the first bomber mission in Europe on July 4th 1942 and follow that with the tale of "Boomerang," the first B-24 to return to the U.S. from overseas duty. Spectacular views from the waist gunner show German fighter planes raked with large caliber fire, bombs leveling their targets in large cities, factories knocked out of action, railway yards reduced to chaos, and much more. (61 min.)
• DVD 5: 1944-1958
  U.S. Air Force test pilots have the toughest job in the world: help build the most powerful and advanced air force in history. This DVD brings their dangerous lives into focus with historic test flights of the XF rocket aircraft, C-130 Hercules, and H-19 helicopter that show the trials and sacrifice the pilots — and their crafts — undergo to preserve freedom. Learn about "bioastronautics," the rigorous physical trials that test pilots go through to become the world's fastest men. (75 min.)
• DVD 6: 1961-1978
  Strap in and ride along with Neil Armstrong in the remarkable X-15 rocket-powered aircraft — the plane that flew faster and higher than any other craft on Earth! Come back down to Earth with a poetic tribute to flight set against striking aerial photography. Then fly with pilots of an FAC F-100 fighter jet as it provides close air support for our troops in southeast Asia during Operation Shenandoah. Listen to harrowing tales as "Boomers," crews of the indispensable KC-135 tanker craft, are joined by fighter pilots, bomber pilots, and generals as they share their experience of action over Vietnam. (75 min.)