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RAF: The Royal Air Force: Battle for the Skies - The Definitive History

Season 1
Using hours of totally unique and previously unavailable and lost archive film, exclusive air-to-air sequences and dozens of interviews with veterans, Battle For The Skies now covers everything from the early days of the Air Battalion right up to 2007. Extras include; Harrier Air-To-Air Sequence, Action In The RAF, An A-Z Of Aircraft, RAF Recruitment Trailers, The RAF On Display.
20117 episodes13+
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Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Useless for the Purposes of War
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    September 13, 2011
    48min
    13+
    The series begins before the First World War when military commanders struggled to understand what uses aviation might have. The Wright Brothers had been the first to fly a powered aircraft in controlled flight in 1903, but even by 1914 aircraft were still fragile and underpowered. But the WWI saw the aeroplane develop into a formidable weapon capable of carrying bombs for thousands of miles.
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  2. S1 E2 - Under Distant Skies
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    September 13, 2011
    48min
    13+
    The 1920s and 30s were uncertain times for the RAF as well as all other armed services. With peace came cuts in spending on new aircraft development. The RAF found a useful role 'policing the Empire' - going to far-flung places that would have tied up land forces for months to reach and garrison. But, with the Second World War looming, money began to flow into aircraft design and production.
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  3. S1 E3 - A Vicious Sting
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    September 13, 2011
    48min
    13+
    By the end of the war the RAF had aircraft that could escort bombers to targets deep inside Germany and back. With the Gloster Meteor, the RAF had also entered the 'Jet Age'. Aircraft like the Hawker Hunter and F-86 Sabre took the RAF supersonic. This was the era of QRA - Quick Reaction Alert - when aircraft sat at the end of runways ready to launch in minutes to intercept intruders.
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  4. S1 E4 - Strike Hard, Strike Sure
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    September 13, 2011
    48min
    13+
    By the end of the First World War the RAF had bombers that could fly to Berlin and back. For the first time in a thousand years British civilians found themselves under direct attack - by Zeppelin airships and Gotha bombers. The experience left an indelible impression on the public psyche, which was only exacerbated during the Blitz that began in the winter of 1940.
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  5. S1 E5 - By Air, By Sea
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    September 13, 2011
    48min
    13+
    The RAF's maritime role is often overlooked. Between the wars the RAF operated elegant flying boats to patrol the far flung corners of the Empire. During the Second World War, air sea rescue of downed pilots and air crews was a vital role. Large flying boats like the Short Sunderland and PBY Catalina flew long missions far out over the oceans, looking for enemy submarines.
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  6. S1 E6 - Supplies from the Skies
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    September 13, 2011
    48min
    13+
    After the war, RAF transports helped keep Berliners alive during the Soviet blockade of the city in 1948/49. As well as flying round-the-clock operations into the airport, Sunderland flying boats delivered supplies by landing on Lake Havel near the city. During the 1960s the RAF augmented its fixed wing aircraft with helicopters like the Chinook
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  7. S1 E7 - The Sky's the Limit
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    September 13, 2011
    1 h 9 min
    13+
    In this programme we bring the RAF story into the modern era. Another aircraft to have extended the RAF's capabilities is the C130 Hercules. This aircraft has proved its capabilities in countless environments from resupply, to dropping paratroopers. As has been demonstrated many times in recent conflicts, control of the skies remains a deciding factor in the outcome.
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Details

More info

Content advisory
Violence
Audio languages
English
Subtitles
English [CC]
Directors
Bruce Vigar
Producers
Bruce Vigar
Cast
Robert AshbyBryan Wolfe
Studio
Total Content Digital
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