One of the least-documented eras of aviation's story is the transition from the frail, kite-like structures of its infancy to strong, maneuverable and capable military craft developed during the First World War. ANN was privileged to preview a new television program that fills this gap.

The Public Broadcasting Service's WARPLANE: Airplane to Air Force very realistically details the nascent use of "aeroplanes" as instruments of war-the earliest (and best) use in observation and reconnaissance, development of fighter aircraft to deny the observational "high ground" to the enemy, and the small beginnings of aviation in ground-attack and strategic bombardment roles. Combining live-action re-enactments using replica aircraft with computer-generated animation (CGI) and the very few photographic records of the era (including footage from post-war theatrical releases), Airplane to Air Force emphasizes the lightning pace of innovation that turned barely flyable contraptions into efficient if still unstable killing machines.

Enthusiasts will enjoy the entertaining and informative mix. More serious historians will applaud that modern research and video production techniques have created a definitive overview of First World War aviation. Both groups should forgive the very few CGI scenes of airplanes maneuvering against a blurred background in turns and dives that don't quite match the fluid motion of actual airplanes, instead recognizing the superior quality of the vast majority of the show.

Airplane to Air Force is the first of a series of new hour-long programs that document the development of military air power. It premiers Wednesday, November 8th at 9 pm Eastern time on PBS.

FMI: www.pbs.org