Planes That Never Flew

Episode 01

The Last Rocket Fighter

Apr 4, 2003 · 47 min

The British-designed Saunders-Roe SR177, an advanced rocket plane that, though capable of climbing to the very edge of space, fell victim to sabotage by a rival aircraft company.

Episode 02

The American SST

Apr 11, 2003 · 47 min

A documentary on the SST, America's answer to Concorde in the competition between Europe and the United States to build a supersonic airliner.

Episode 03

America's First Jet Fighter

Apr 18, 2003 · 47 min

The history of 1950s icon the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, designed by engineer Clarence `Kelly' Johnson, who had previously failed in an attempt to create a supersonic fighter.

Episode 04

The Atomic Bomber

Apr 25, 2003 · 47 min

The story behind plans for an atomic bomber that failed to progress from the drawing board.