Further Research and Information Sourcing.

I have spent the weekend researching my topic of the development of Air combat through methods such as YouTube and online research.


One source I found extremely useful in explaining what the first example of air combat was like is the below video titled: "The Great War: The First Dog-fighters (WW1 Aviation Documentary)".

 

 

 

 

This video has helped me to decide on what sections should be included in my report on early aircraft, tactics and the type of pilot involved. The video also gives historians views in the video which can easily be sourced and used in my profile to back up my knowledge.  

To gain a breadth study of my topic over the weekend I also watched he first few episodes of an old BBC series called "Fighter Pilots".

This series was filmed in 1981 making it slightly outdated however gives an amazing insight into what it takes to be a modern day pilot and the requirements that need to be met in order to perform in such a high stress job. Therefore, it will help provide a key basis ad plan for my section of my report about the modern day pilot and perhaps doing a comparison between this pilot and the type of pilot that would have been responsible for the traditional dogfights of the World Wars.

Finally, I have spent time this weekend looking at flight simulators that will help me understand the difficulties experienced by pilots and allow me to immerse myself further with the topic. One simulator showing hope at the moment is "War Thunder" which focuses on World War 2 era aircraft with the inclusion of the first jet aircraft to be produced, allowing you to pilot them and fight against enemy nations. This will be especially useful whilst compiling my report on the section of World War Two aircraft and the problems faced by pilots.

Choosing My Topic

Today I decided on a project with the help of the project leader - Miss Dinwoodie. I have chosen to do an EPQ on the development of air combat, focusing on the key areas of:

• The development of air craft from the World War 1 era throughout time until the latest aircraft and the technology involved.
• The advancements of tactics involved in dog-fighting and the emergence of technology in the role of air combat as opposed to the more traditional dog-fights notorious in World War 1 and 2.
• How the role of the pilot has changed demands faced to become a fighter pilot as opposed to the demands of a traditional fighter pilot.

I have done a small amount of research on local museums which would be worth a visit to further indulge myself in the advancement of Aircraft and have found many documentaries on YouTube which will give me a background and basis for writing my project.