DC Wings - Strange Planes Series 1 (1990) Part 2 Parasites

Strange Planes have odd shapes, interesting tales. From the highly successful series “Wings” on The Discovery Channel comes the six-volume series “Strange Planes.” For aviation buffs, this collection is an insightful look at the history of aircraft, sometimes amusing, sometimes bizarre and at times astonishing, yet always interesting. The efforts of aircraft designers, whether resulting in failure and folly or remarkable achievement, are chronicled into one-hour episodes. The flights of fancy portrayed in the STRANGE PLANES collection represent both the triumphs and the follies of pioneers taking aviation to–and sometimes beyond–the edge of technical feasibility and human imagination. There are a few of the many strange and bizarre forms that aircraft design has taken on the road to the future. Some of these designs were revolutionary in their day but now are not so weird as they seemed. “Strange Planes” portray the fanciful or eccentric plus the blind alleys of aviation. There is a fascinating story behind every one of these radical designs, and each is an entertaining salute to man's ingenuity, and determination to reach for the sky. The “Strange Planes” series was produced in Australia and aired as part of The Discovery Channel's most highly rated series, “Wings,” during its initial airing.

Directed by Luke Swann; Executive Producer Phil Osborn; Network Projects Ltd Production

Part 2 Parasites

From the launching and retrieving of planes by dirigibles in the early 1900s to piggy-backing and today's space shuttle. Piggybacking one plane on another is not an impossible ambition, as shown by the success of the Space Shuttle. However this episode documents that the pursuit of this ambition has been long and challenging. Nicknamed for their ability to hitch a ride, parasites represent enormous technological breakthroughs. Used for everything from faster mail service to extra escorts, parasites have evolved. Being able to ride on a mother craft extended these planes' potential. In the beginning, Curtis fighters hid inside dirigibles. Later, parasite aircraft launched out of giant bombers to protect the plane. Now, the space shuttle itself counts as a parasite. Strange Planes offers a detailed history of these life-saving inventions.

Full Version Available Upon Request
Episode Four Shown Here