Wings (Discovery Channel TV series)
Encyclopedia
Wings was an educational television program aired on the Discovery Channel
.
Episodes were one hour long, minus commercials. Each episode consisted of a documentary about one airplane model or closely related series of models, typically an American airplane or helicopter built in large numbers and relevant to aviation history or to the abilities of the American armed forces. For example, some aircraft discussed in Wings episodes have included the DC-3, B-25, P-51, F-84, 707/KC-135, M/K/C-130, F-4, T-38/F-5/F-20, UH-1, A-4, A-12/SR-71, Harrier, F-14 Tomcat, Boeing 747/VC-25/E-4, F-15, and YF-17/FA-18, to name a few. A few non-American planes, such as the Concorde, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Supermarine Spitfire were profiled as well. They were usually referred to as the "Great Planes". Other episodes would focus on the history or operations of a particular foreign air force, such as the Israeli Air Force
, a foreign aviation company or design bureau such as France's Dassault or Russia's Mikoyan
, or the aircraft of a particular conflict such as the Korean War
or the Afghan-Soviet War. There also were special episode series (titled Wings of the Luftwaffe and Wings of the Red Star) that respectively focused on either Luftwaffe
aircraft of World War II
, or World War II-era and later Soviet Air Force
aircraft. For examples, specific episodes covered the Ju-87 Stuka, the Ju-52 transport and the FW-190 for the "Luftwaffe" series; and famous and little-known Soviet aircraft such as the MiG-15, Tu-144 and early Soviet helicopters for the "Red Star" series, all of which were narrated by Peter Ustinov
.
Some episodes were later rebroadcast under the labels Sea Wings or Weekday Wings
Some series of episodes, often six or eight at a time, would focus on a subset of airplane designs. Examples includes German military aircraft of World War 2, VTOL aircraft, or the "Strange Planes" series.
The VTOL episodes each featured a category of vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft such as those that used thrust vectoring, ducted fans, tilt-rotors, etc. The "Strange Planes" series episodes each talked about a handful of aircraft in categories like "Giants", "Drones", "Strange Shapes", "Circles in the Sky", "Lifting Bodies", "Flying Wings", etc.
For a few years the Aluminum Metal Toys
, or AMT, modeling company issued a series of plastic scale model airplanes entitled the "Wings" series. The series also formed the backbone for the former Discovery Wings
channels in the United States and United Kingdom, which were later rebranded to the Military Channel
and Discovery Turbo
, respectively.
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
.
Episodes were one hour long, minus commercials. Each episode consisted of a documentary about one airplane model or closely related series of models, typically an American airplane or helicopter built in large numbers and relevant to aviation history or to the abilities of the American armed forces. For example, some aircraft discussed in Wings episodes have included the DC-3, B-25, P-51, F-84, 707/KC-135, M/K/C-130, F-4, T-38/F-5/F-20, UH-1, A-4, A-12/SR-71, Harrier, F-14 Tomcat, Boeing 747/VC-25/E-4, F-15, and YF-17/FA-18, to name a few. A few non-American planes, such as the Concorde, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, and the Supermarine Spitfire were profiled as well. They were usually referred to as the "Great Planes". Other episodes would focus on the history or operations of a particular foreign air force, such as the Israeli Air Force
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
, a foreign aviation company or design bureau such as France's Dassault or Russia's Mikoyan
Mikoyan
Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG , or RSK MiG, is a Russian joint stock company. Formerly Mikoyan-and-Gurevich Design Bureau , then simply Mikoyan, it is a military aircraft design bureau, primarily designing fighter aircraft...
, or the aircraft of a particular conflict such as the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
or the Afghan-Soviet War. There also were special episode series (titled Wings of the Luftwaffe and Wings of the Red Star) that respectively focused on either Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
aircraft of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, or World War II-era and later Soviet Air Force
Soviet Air Force
The Soviet Air Force, officially known in Russian as Военно-воздушные силы or Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily and often abbreviated VVS was the official designation of one of the air forces of the Soviet Union. The other was the Soviet Air Defence Forces...
aircraft. For examples, specific episodes covered the Ju-87 Stuka, the Ju-52 transport and the FW-190 for the "Luftwaffe" series; and famous and little-known Soviet aircraft such as the MiG-15, Tu-144 and early Soviet helicopters for the "Red Star" series, all of which were narrated by Peter Ustinov
Peter Ustinov
Peter Alexander Ustinov CBE was an English actor, writer and dramatist. He was also renowned as a filmmaker, theatre and opera director, stage designer, author, screenwriter, comedian, humourist, newspaper and magazine columnist, radio broadcaster and television presenter...
.
Some episodes were later rebroadcast under the labels Sea Wings or Weekday Wings
Some series of episodes, often six or eight at a time, would focus on a subset of airplane designs. Examples includes German military aircraft of World War 2, VTOL aircraft, or the "Strange Planes" series.
The VTOL episodes each featured a category of vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft such as those that used thrust vectoring, ducted fans, tilt-rotors, etc. The "Strange Planes" series episodes each talked about a handful of aircraft in categories like "Giants", "Drones", "Strange Shapes", "Circles in the Sky", "Lifting Bodies", "Flying Wings", etc.
For a few years the Aluminum Metal Toys
Aluminum Metal Toys
Aluminum Model Toys, or AMT for short, was a Troy, Michigan based company that manufactured various pre-assembled plastic promotional models starting in 1948, when attorney West Gallogly, Sr. started it as a side business. Later, a variety of kits became very popular. Most of the company's vehicle...
, or AMT, modeling company issued a series of plastic scale model airplanes entitled the "Wings" series. The series also formed the backbone for the former Discovery Wings
Discovery Wings
Discovery Wings was an American and British TV channel devoted to documentaries regarding aircraft and as a brand extension of Wings, a staple documentary program of the Discovery Channel throughout the 1990s...
channels in the United States and United Kingdom, which were later rebranded to the Military Channel
Military Channel
The Military Channel is a cable and satellite television network which broadcasts television programming related to the military, warfare and military history. It is part of the group of networks owned by Discovery Communications within the United States and Canada...
and Discovery Turbo
Discovery Turbo (UK)
Discovery Turbo is a British television channel devoted to programming about cars, bikes, boats, and planes. It launched on March 1 2007, replacing Discovery Wings and Discovery Kids.- Programming :*Fifth Gear*American Chopper*Monster Garage*Auto Trader...
, respectively.