Planes That Changed History

During the Battle of Britain, the fate of a nation rested on the legendary Supermarine Spitfire as it stood between Nazi Germany and the invasion of southern England. Explore the incredible engineering and aerial tactics that made this plane so iconic.

The British Avro Vulcan pushed the boundaries of long-distance flying, completing one of the longest bombing raids in history during the 1982 Falklands War.

The groundbreaking story of Concorde, a flying marvel that has become synonymous with speed. After beating out the USA and the Soviet Union in a high-stakes international race to achieve supersonic air travel, Concorde left its mark on history.

In 1981, the F-117 Nighthawk became the world's first stealth aircraft. Explore how its futuristic design made this unconventional aircraft all but invisible to radar. A decade after its inception, the Nighthawk was put to the test in the Gulf War to help thwart the military might of Saddam Hussein.

The Douglas DC-3 was an aviation revolution, transforming the world of air travel by flying faster, farther and more safely than any other passenger plane. Later, it was reinvented to help the Allies secure victory in World War II.

Boeing dared to design the largest passenger aircraft of its time, and creating the 747 was no small task. The story of the "queen of the skies" is one of groundbreaking innovation, high risks, and even higher stakes.

The Harrier is considered a milestone in aviation: As the first mass-produced aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing, it combines the speed of a jet with the flexibility of a helicopter. This is made possible by innovative engine technology that redirects thrust in a controlled manner. As a result, the Harrier can take off and land nearly vertically and even hover in the air. It particularly demonstrated its strengths in 1982 during the Falklands War, where British Harrier jets deployed against Argentina became a decisive factor despite limited takeoff and landing options.

The Airbus BelugaXL is one of the largest transport aircraft in the world and is specifically designed for gigantic cargo. With its distinctive fuselage, it transports entire aircraft components across Europe and connects production sites. Its development traces back to earlier specialty aircraft such as the Super Guppy, which had already played an important role in space exploration. Building on these concepts, the BelugaXL represents a new generation of high-performance cargo aircraft.

The Chinook is one of the most powerful transport helicopters in the world. With its tandem rotors, it can lift enormous loads and has been a staple of military and civilian operations since the Vietnam War.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress became a symbol of American air raids during World War II. On risky missions, the iconic bomber left its mark on the air war over Europe.