Flying Boats

Citation

(2006), "Flying Boats", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 5, pp. 462-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.78.5.462.4

Now aviation specialist DD Home Entertainment celebrates the history of “Flying boats” with a new two disc DVD and video double pack collecting together the sumptuously filmed Discovery Channel series.

“Flying boats” is the definitive film history of these truly wonderful and exotic aircraft, packed with rare action archive footage and stills featuring dozens of different designs from around the world.

The two disc DVD and video double pack includes all six parts of the acclaimed Discovery series, telling the gripping story of these incredible aircraft from aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss' first designs in 1913 right through to the present day.

First seeing service during the World War I, flying boats quickly adapted to peacetime when they became the world's first airliners. In the 1930s, Pan American Airways' Giant Clippers established the world's first air service across two oceans and offered their passengers the ultimate in style, grace, romance and luxury. For the flying boat, it was a Golden Age.

When the World War II broke out, flying boats swiftly reverted to their military roles. Aircraft like the Sunderland and Catalina played a vital role in both the Battle of the Atlantic and the war in the Pacific – but it was becoming increasingly obvious that their days were numbered. Post‐war designs like Howard Hughes gargantuan “Spruce Goose” and the British Princess proved costly failures and even radical new US Navy designs like the jet‐powered Seamaster and the supersonic Sea Dart could not compete with the cold efficiency of land‐based aircraft.

Today, only Japan, Canada and Russia are still producing large flying boats. Designed for special utility and military roles, these modern seaplanes have kept abreast of technology. In particular, the jet‐powered Russian Albatross may just possibly lead a whole new generation of flying boats into the future.

Other related titles from DD Home Entertainment include “Seaplanes & flying boats of the royal air force”.

Flying Boats are available in all good DVD and video retailers priced £15.99 for video or £19.99 for DVD, or direct from DD Home Entertainment, Unit 1, Pool Bank Business Park, High Street, Tarvin, Chester CH3 8JH; please add £2.75 towards postage and packing. Credit card customers can also order copies by ringing the 24 hour DD hotline on 01829 741490 or by visiting www.ddhe.co.uk