‘Masters of the Air’ Miniseries Is Must-See TV for Aviation Buffs

Apple streaming show, based on the 2007 book, chronicles the heroics of World War II B-17 missions.

Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 05:28 PM ET

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Masters of the Air follows the Eighth Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group during World War II. [Courtesy: National Archives and Records Administration]

Key Takeaways:

The Apple TV+ miniseries Masters of the Air is a highly anticipated World War II drama about the 100th Bomb Group, produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks as a companion to Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
The production went to extreme lengths to ensure historical accuracy, extensively utilizing technical advisers like Taigh Ramey and David Littleton who trained actors on realistic B-17 operations, researched missions, and meticulously oversaw the creation of sets, props, and flight details.
No real B-17s were used; instead, two full-sized replicas were built, with advisers teaching actors everything from instrument interpretation to handling controls and simulating specific crew roles under combat conditions.
The series aims to offer a gritty, authentic, and emotionally impactful portrayal of the physiological and psychological challenges faced by WWII airmen, serving as a poignant reminder of that disappearing generation.

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Unless you have been living under a rock for the past month, you have probably heard about Masters of the Air, the miniseries streaming on Apple TV. This much-anticipated World War II drama premiered on January 26.

For history and aviation buffs, this is must-see programming. The series, based on the 2007 book of the same name by Donald L. Miller, chronicles the experiences of the 100th Bomb Group, part of the Eighth Air Force in England during the war. For those who swoon at the sight and sound of a Boeing B-17, this is something you will want to watch. Several times.