Attack Aircraft - [DVD]

Where other pilots try to survive by staying away from enemy guns, the men who fly ground support spend much of their buzzing just above the infantry and tanks they attack. One tiny mistake can slam them into the ground in a split second. One well-placed shot means instant death. In World War I, daring pilots would lean over the sides of rickety biplanes to drop grenades on troops below. Today, awesome planes like the A-10 "Warthog" streak low across the battlefield, ripping through infantry and blasting enemy tanks open with their devastating cannon and missiles. They are a vital part of nearly all land-based operations, providing essential support to troops on the ground. ATTACK AIRCRAFT chronicles the development, technology and strategy of these "flying tanks." Combat footage shows them in action from World War II to Desert Storm, and in gripping interviews pilots detail the tactics that they employ to stay alive while firing on targets sometimes only a hundred feet away. It's a riveting look at a dangerous and difficult mission, and the extraordinary planes that perform it.