Kamikaze
Season 2, Episode 1 TV-14
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It was a weapon conceived in desperation yet horrifying in its destructive power--young Japanese pilots willing to turn themselves into human bombs to attack the US fleet in the Pacific. Witness the first organized kamikaze attack in history on October 25, 1944. In brutal fashion, a US escort carrier is sunk, and a survivor re-lives the terrifying scene. The success of the first mission unleashes a tidal wave of attacks. At the same time, the Japanese unveil an even more sinister suicide weapon: the rocket-powered Okha. A Japanese Okha veteran describes the training and mindset of a suicide pilot, and US Navy veterans onboard ships struck by Ohkas, tell the enormous devastation this "flying torpedo" could unleash.
Jet vs. Jet
Season 2, Episode 2 TV-14
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In the skies above North Korea, a new kind of air war is raging at 500mph...jet vs. jet dogfighting for the first time in history. American pilots bravely pit their F-86 Sabres against Communist MiG-15s. They will re-define air combat in pursuit of a previously unknown glory...the title of "Jet Ace." Their missions are fraught with peril. The new jet aircraft fly at nearly twice the speed of the piston-driven fighters of WWII. At edge of the speed of sound, life or death is decided in fractions of a second and tactics have to evolve quickly to meet the break-neck pace of jet combat. On May 20, 1950, Capt. James Jaraba rushes headlong into combat despite a malfunctioning jet. He claims his fifth and sixth victories in the resulting dogfight, becoming the first American ace of the jet age.
Thunderbolt
Season 2, Episode 3 TV-14
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Machine gun fire rips through the fuselage. Flames fill the cockpit and the aircraft plummets in a wild spin. But time and again the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt pulls out and keeps on fighting. Over occupied Europe, the P-47 Thunderbolt blazed a reputation as the most rugged fighter of WWII. Pilot Robert S. Johnson flies with the renowned 56th fighter group. His flight is jumped by 16 deadly Focke-Wulf 190s. As hundreds of enemy rounds impact his fighter, Johnson's life depends on the legendary protection his armored cockpit affords. In June 1944, Lt. George Sutcliffe enters the fight of his life in an effort to escape 40-plus Me109s looming above him. The Thunderbolt's defensive capabilities inspired confidence in its pilots. But the aircraft was a dogfighter at heart.
Gun Kills of Vietnam
Season 2, Episode 4 TV-14
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The missile age has dawned over the skies of Vietnam and the era of conventional dogfighting is thought to be over. However, the missiles of the F-4 Phantom proved ineffective during close-in turning fights with agile MiG fighters, exemplifying the need for guns in modern air combat. Watch as A-1H Skyraider pilots pit their prop-driven workhorses against a lethal jet-powered MiG-17. Viewers will feel like they're in the battle facing the enemy with state-of-the-art computer graphics, rare archival footage and first-hand accounts driving the story.
Desert Aces
Season 2, Episode 5 TV-14
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The Israeli air force mastered the use of the Mirage III over decades of intense air combat with its neighbors. Go into battle with Israel's ace of aces, Giora Epstein as he takes on a swarm of Egyptian MiG-21s in one of the most thrilling dogfights of the jet age. State-of-the-art computer graphics are used to recreate famous battles. First-hand accounts, rare archival footage and original shooting will make the viewer feel like they're in the battle facing the enemy.
The First Dogfighters
Season 2, Episode 6 TV-14
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World War I saw the birth of a new type of combat: the dogfight. Aces from almost every nation take canvas and wire bi-planes into battle and pioneer new tactics. German ace Ernst Udet goes 1 v. 1 with Georges Guynemer. Werner Voss takes on an entire squadron of British aces... and American ace Arthur Raymond Brooks finds himself in the dogfight of his life. State-of-the-art computer graphics, first-hand accounts, rare archival footage and original shooting will help to make the viewer feel like they're in the battle, facing the enemy.
No Room for Error
Season 2, Episode 7 TV-14
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It's where a pilot can ill afford to make a mistake... but where dogfights are so often drawn. Down to the deck, at treetop level, where the margin for error is zero. Witness first hand the grim and grisly reality of low-level dogfighting. In July 1944, P-51Ds tasked with performing a long-range bomber escort, are jumped by the German arsenal. A wild, swirling dogfight tumbles its way toward the earth. In May 1952, Capt. James Kasler leads a two-ship element in a flight of four F-86E Sabre jets. Kasler spots three silver MiG-15s heading the opposite direction at an altitude of about 1,000 feet. He dives in behind the lead MiG, shredding it with his 50 caliber machine guns. And in May 1967, two flights of four F-4Cs over North Vietnam get involved in an intense dogfight with 16 MiG-17s.
Night Fighters
Season 2, Episode 8 TV-14
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In pitch-black skies, brave pilots put their lives on the line in an effort to gain the ultimate advantage...the ability to attack, kill, and withdraw without ever being detected. It's a risky mission that depends heavily on technology. Night fighters pioneer the tactics and technology and pave the way for the future of air combat. Famous battles are recreated using state-of-the-art computer graphics.
The Bloodiest Day
Season 2, Episode 9 TV-14
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May 10, 1972 was the biggest day of air combat in the Vietnam War. In addition to great "turn and burn" battles, the dogfights involve some remarkable electronic warfare as F4 Phantoms, F-105s, and numerous other aircraft as they descend on North Vietnam employing advanced radar jamming equipment, smart bombs, and other high-tech gear. Watch as famous battles are recreated using state-of-the-art computer graphics. First-hand accounts, rare archival footage and original shooting supplement the remarkable computer graphics.
Dogfights of Desert Storm
Season 2, Episode 10 TV-14
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A generational leap in technology and strategy is put to the ultimate test over enemy airspace in Iraq. The air combat of the future begins with America's first large scale air offensive since the Vietnam War. On the first night of the war an Iraqi Mirage F1 attacks an unarmed EF-111. Watch as F-15C pilots take on a pair of Iraqi MiG-25 interceptors. Finally Captain Cesar Rodriguez takes on MiGs, in a classic Beyond Visual Range engagement that illustrates the awe-striking power of modern weapons technology.
P-51 Mustang
Season 2, Episode 11 TV-14
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In the aerial battleground of World War II, the P-51 Mustang proved itself to be the most famous war bird in history. Take a look at three of its most memorable battles. On November 2, 1944, Capt. Donald Bryan leads a group of P-51s escorting B-24 bombers to their target deep inside of Germany when he runs into a huge gaggle of Me109s on the attack. On June 23, 1945, Second Lieutenant Bob Scamara takes off with a flight of Mustangs from Iwo Jima. His group is jumped by seventeen Zeroes. On April 7, 1945, pilot Richard Candelaria becomes one of the first Americans to face the jet menace. First-hand accounts, rare archival footage and original shooting supplement the remarkable computer graphics.
Tuskegee Airmen
Season 2, Episode 12 TV-14
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African-American pilots of the 332nd distinguished themselves as one of the most successful fighter groups of the war, despite the bigotry and prejudice they faced from their own countrymen.
MiG Killers of Midway
Season 2, Episode 13 TV-14
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At the end of the Vietnam War the USS Midway's pilots and airmen engaged in some of the most thrilling and intense air combat. Six F4 Phantoms launched from the deck of the USS Midway, engage with North Vietnamese MiGs. The Phantoms destroy two MiGs. Watch as American pilots Bartholomay and Arwood down enemy MiG-19s over their home base at Kep. Then flight lead Vic Kovaleski brings down a MiG-17 scoring the last MiG kill of the war. Midway served honorably throughout Vietnam and even in Desert Storm but time finally caught up with her and the USS Midway was converted to a museum and now resides in San Diego, CA.
Death of the Luftwaffe
Season 2, Episode 14 TV-14
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Operation Bodenplatte was a daring plan to destroy American forward air bases all over Holland, Belgium, and the Netherlands during World War II. On January 1, 1945, 17 of these airbases were attacked. One of the greatest dogfights in history will take place as the Americans make a stand at a Y-29 forwards airbase in northeast Belgium. At 9am a massive formation of German aircraft is headed for Y-29. Eight P-47 Thunderbolts ambush the Germans, derailing the initial attack. 20 American aircraft get off the runway at Y-29 to engage nearly 70 German planes. Ultimately, over two dozen German planes are shot down to the loss of just one P-47 Thunderbolt. The failure at Y-29 embodies the failure of Operation Bodenplatte and helped to facilitate the death of the Luftwaffe.
Supersonic
Season 2, Episode 15 TV-14
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In the fighter pilot business, they say "speed is life." Speed means the ability to maneuver. Speed is the initiative in a dogfight, with the speed advantage you can almost always out-perform and out-think your opponent. From the era of piston-driven, prop planes like the F4U Corsair to high-performance jets like the F-86 Sabre and the F4 Phantom...the pursuit of greater speed has defined the development of aircraft.
Secret Weapons
Season 2, Episode 16 TV-14
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Devised in desperation, developed in the shadows, and unleashed on an unsuspecting enemy. These were the top secret weapons of World War II designed to turn the tide of war. On November 20, 1944, in the early morning hours off the coast of the island of Ulithi, the USS Mississinewa sits at anchor. The massive tanker is filled with oil, a vital supply ship for the American fleet as it continues its attacks on the Japanese empire. At 5:45am, a massive explosion rips apart the Mississinewa. But this is no accident. This is the work of the Kaiten, a terrifying new Kamikaze weapon. The Kaiten is a manned, suicide submarine. With rudimentary cockpit controls mounted over an extra large long-lance torpedo. The Kaiten is designed to be driven directly into an American ship before detonating. The Kaiten that hit the Mississenewa was manned by Sub-Lieautenant Seiko Nashina. Fire and oil spill out over the ocean, huge plumes of smoke billowing over the stricken ship. American sailor Herb Daitch barely manages to escape the ship, swimming to safety underneath the burning water. The Kaiten has succeeded here but the program as a whole is a dismal failure.
Luftwaffe's Deadliest Mission
Season 2, Episode 17 TV-14
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In the face of the wholesale destruction of their homeland, young Germans were motivated to destroy American bombers by any means necessary. On April 7, 1945 a volunteer unit called the Sonderkommando ELBE takes to the sky with one goal in mind -- use their own aircraft as battering rams to destroy American bombers. Rare interviews with the German pilots who mounted these attacks will offer an unprecedented look into the mindset of these ram-pilots.
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