Yes, its Boeing-centric, but there are LOTS of interesting and balanced perspectives as commercial, military and Apollo space. There are plenty of independent and respected aviation and space historians (James P. Hallion, etc.), Frank Borman (astronaut), and other executives of Airbus and Rockwell (Dale Myers) to provide a balanced perspective. Also there are a NUMBER of times that Boeing bet the company (i.e. if the airplane failed, so would the company) like the B-17, 707, 747. They are now the only commercial aircraft provider for airlines. Boeing executives also provide unique insights as to how engineering today's planes differ from the 707. Its my opinion that these are important and significant events that Boeing deserves credit for, and I have no problem them stating this. I think its fair for them to describe a little-known TIE program after the Apollo 1 fire to help correct major issues. Its fair to give credit when credit is due. This is also a well produced program with archive footage and describing things that I had never known.
4 Reviews
Wonderful piece on Aviation!
singingman16 February 2016
This was a well produced historical piece. From the beginning of flight through the present, it shows aviation at its best! Sure, it was written by Boeing and showcases Boeing, but why not? Boeing was and still is the Best at building the best aircraft in the world! From WW1 Biplanes to The BUFF, the Mighty B-52, Boeing has made some of the greatest advances in aviation. Going forward with the German research on swept wing aircraft, Boing made modern high speed commercial flight possible. It was Boeing that shrunk the world for travel. As the old saying goes: If it ain't a Boeing,I ain't a Going!
(And I have no connections to the Boeing Aerospace Corp.)
(And I have no connections to the Boeing Aerospace Corp.)
Great but glossed over the invention of the jet engine
icanfly7723 July 2016
Really liked it. Found out a lot I didn't know about the history of Boeing but one thing I didn't like is that glossed over the jet engine invention in that it didn't even really mention it being invented or drop frank whittles name
They spent a lot of time on WW2 and the B29 and then jumped straight to how they discovered a swept wing design which could handle jet powered aircraft but wait.. you didn't even acknowledge the jet engine or frank whittle or it being invented and how much it was about to change aviation..
It should have had a least 1 chapter about this.. other than that really good and didn't talk about Boeing merging with McDonnell Douglas either and you expect since it's made by Boeing it also glossed over other manufacturers that were in the business like Fokker, Douglas, etc
They spent a lot of time on WW2 and the B29 and then jumped straight to how they discovered a swept wing design which could handle jet powered aircraft but wait.. you didn't even acknowledge the jet engine or frank whittle or it being invented and how much it was about to change aviation..
It should have had a least 1 chapter about this.. other than that really good and didn't talk about Boeing merging with McDonnell Douglas either and you expect since it's made by Boeing it also glossed over other manufacturers that were in the business like Fokker, Douglas, etc
Thinly veiled Boeing propaganda
Q-Panda15 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The Science Channel promoted this as a history of aviation centered on the history of Boeing. What it really comes across as is Boeing patting itself on the back for everything they want to claim they pioneered and whining about all the times someone else did better. It's just pathetic.
Among the whinier assertions: "Government separating aircraft manufacturers from airline operators is like telling the company that makes computers that they can't sell them." No, it's actually like telling the studios that make movies that they can't own the theaters that show them—which is another industry-wide monopoly practice that was ended by the feds in the same era.
The more I watched of the first episode of this program, the stronger the feeling of being propagandized and manipulated became. Yes, Boeing is a long-lived company with a rich history, responsible for many achievements in aviation. No, they are not God's gift to aerospace.
Unless you want to subject yourself to six TV hours of corporate brainwashing, just let this one pass you by.
Among the whinier assertions: "Government separating aircraft manufacturers from airline operators is like telling the company that makes computers that they can't sell them." No, it's actually like telling the studios that make movies that they can't own the theaters that show them—which is another industry-wide monopoly practice that was ended by the feds in the same era.
The more I watched of the first episode of this program, the stronger the feeling of being propagandized and manipulated became. Yes, Boeing is a long-lived company with a rich history, responsible for many achievements in aviation. No, they are not God's gift to aerospace.
Unless you want to subject yourself to six TV hours of corporate brainwashing, just let this one pass you by.
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