Beyond the Speed of Sound (1959)

Concluding this three parts series from Shell Films, we have now arrived at supersonic flight. From an aircraft flying perspective, it is now relative plain sailing (getting there isn't, though) to travel as the airflows are now much more stable and the turbulence less. Using a series of simple diagrams and animations, the science is laid bare (well, sort of). By now, the narrative makes much more sense as the accumulated familiarity with some of the terminology makes this much easier to follow. This feature looks also at the structure of aircraft, the design and "swept/Delta" wing structures that prove much more efficient for high speed flight. This film also looks at the problems of slowing down from these immense speeds - especially on an aircraft carrier, or requiring a parachute brake. It also looks at issues of manoeuvrability. Interesting as I suspect the principles contained in this series haven't much changed in the sixty years since it was made, and though a little dry at times it is still worth twenty minutes if you are remotely interested in how we travel so safely and quickly from the likes of London to New York in a few hours.