Introduction
Technology Documentary hosted by Luke Swann, published by Discovery Channel broadcasted as part of DC Wings series in 1990.
Outline
Strange shapes presents the most remarkable shapes ever sent into the air.
From an early Flying Wing at Northrop in the 1920s that didn’t work to one that does, the Stealth Bomber. Also includes other remarkable shapes such as the Flying Pancake and the Tailless Fighter.
Aviation oddities featured include planes with backward wings, moving wings, small wings and even no wings at all; planes with backward engines that “pushed” instead of “pulled”, planes with engines that pushed and pulled, planes with huge tails and planes with no tails.
Strange Shapes concentrates on the unusual forms that often grace the engineer’s drawing board.
Eliminating the fuselage on aircraft was an interesting idea that didn’t come to fruition. However, the concept of a smaller, more aerodynamic plane did.
Out of this idea, the Flying Wing was born. Seen in everything from the 1929 Halten Meteor, to the modern-day Stealth Bomber, this smooth design works.
Aircraft seen include Flying Wings, Bell X5, XP 57 “Bat”, SR71 Blackbird, F7 Cutlass, “Lifting Bodies”, X24 and X29.
Strange Planes Series
You can find a full index and overview of Strange Planes here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 1990.
- Rating: Unknown.
- Running Time: 46-54 minutes (per episode).
- Country: US.
- Language: English.
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