Customer Reviews

NOVA: Battle of the X-Planes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No it wasn't the Discovery Channel, Discovery Wings or even the History Channel that scooped this incredible story. NOVA did it with unpresedented access to the twin giants of aircraft manufacturing Boeing and Lockheed. I have waited since 1999 to see an indepth film about the State-of-the-Art military fighter aircraft buisness. NOVA takes the viewer deep inside the ultra top-secret Lockheed Skunk Works and the Boeing Phantom Works design and manufacturing centers. We have a ring-side seat at every step of the developmental process of the Joint Strike Fighter. The only story that is missing in this otherwise supurb DVD, is the extreamly intense intersevice and political battle BEHIND the scenes that is as fascinating and deadly as any air battle in the skies. Not ALL of the military services even wanted the JSF. It was practically crammed down the throats of the Navy for example because they did not want a single engined fighter. The Air Force greatly resented the entire concept of a multiple user "Joint" anything. The Marines were thrilled that they were not being given another hand-me-down aircraft. So in the end it all came down to dollars, common sense, and an extraordinary "one size fits all" fighter. The JSF will be the ultimate and perhaps last manned fighter plane built by the USA, the next generation of fighters will be UNMANNED Air Combat Vehicles or UCAVS.........but that's another story.

I've seen this three times and never cease to be amazed at the technology involved in the world of fighter planes. Although I do wonder how long it will really last as a fighter plane as it seems we are moving into the world of UCAV's (Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles). Do we really need pilots to be in the line of fire? Either way it was awe inspiring seeing the Boeing proto-type hovering a couple hundred feet above the ground in Maryland and doing a full 360 degree turn in midair. Taking off vertically, landing vertically, manuvering faster than any other fighter/bomber ever built, stealth, super-sonic flight speeds... Both Lockheed and Boeing run the gammut and turn out excellent aircraft. It's a very interesting two hours watching this film. You won't be disappointed

I watched this when it originally aired on PBS, and was amazed at how quickly the story pulled me in. I'm probably a 4 out of 10 on the techno-geek scale only because I read and enjoy Tom Clancy and Dale Brown novels, but I found the story engaging and compelling. I would recommend it anyone, techno-geek or not, simply because the competition between the two manufacturers, and the evolution of the two planes was so interesting. I plan on purchasing this so I can watch it over again.

Nova did a decent job presenting the JSF competition Boeing was involved in. If you work in aerospace you may be disappointed in the lack of technical details and if you were/are involved with either aircraft you may be disappointed in the "consumer grade" presentation and quality of the information. Though there were some good aspects to the DVD it lost credibility for me with innuendos toward Lockheed to the point of calling them arrogant. Perhaps someone at Lockheed may have irritated the producers but shows that even Nova can put the media "spin" on what they want and will necessitate future viewing of their other products with uncertainty.

When two of the world's premier aircraft manufacturers faced off in challenge to build the next Joint Strike Fighter, Nova was given unprecedented access to both facilities - this documentary is the amazing result. Showing appropriate and unbiased respect for both teams, the producers provided relevant historical background on both Boeing and Lockheed's aircraft, design strengths and challenges.

From the concept designs through production, testing and the final results, Nova teams chronicle the trials, tribulations and triumphs of each side as they struggle to meet the continuously upgraded demands of Army, Navy and Marine Corp representatives and avoid the pitfalls the have crippled previous generations of aircraft.

From start to finish, producers kept a good pace and brought the thrill and high energy drama of the aviation world through the screen to viewers at home. If you or your children are at all interested in planes, mechanics, engineering or design this is a must see!

Excellent coverage on the Lockheed and Boeing fighters during construction and flight testing for the eventual JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) for the U.S. Military. Only one fighter would eventually be selected. Highly recommended for anyone interested in military aircraft.

I have a love for planes that goes back to when I was a kid, age now 69. Have followed info on the F-22 Raptor. Watched this video on HULU, had to have it for my video collection. Loved it, definately a video to own if your into aircraft.

The photography quality was breath-taking, the action spectacular. I never tire of watching the development of aeronautics. It re-awakened the memory of what I had viewed previously and explained the pros and cons of the various aircraft designs.

By far the BEST DVD of the Joint Strike Fighters on the market! AWESOME!!!!

If you are expecting an somewhat fun but FICTIONAL video about the competition for the fighters around 2030, then check this DVD out. However, if you want to know the truth about this competition, might as well just do some research instead, because about 50% of this video is MADE UP. Couple of examples : first of all, on the Boeing's side, none of the guys who acutally have the guts to design the triangular wing were on this video. Most of the footage were interviews to those 'politicans' and the managers. Second of all, some of the events described in this video were just plainly made-up. Boeing took the front nose-piece off not because the plane is too heavy. Acutally the NAVY changed their requirement and the new design was on the way, so that the front nose piece has to be taken off while the plane is tested at the same time. The engineers on both sides spread blood and sweat for this, however, none of the details of at their work were shown.

For me as an aeronautical engineering student, it's a dissapointment.