The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
Subjects (65)
National Security and Defence (33)

Aircraft and Air Operations (12)

  • Canada's Snowbirds
    Canada's Snowbirds
    Joan Henson 1980 1 min
    This installment in the Canada Vignettes series depicts the Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Aerobatics team at work.
  • Canada's Air Defence
    Canada's Air Defence
    John Howe 1957 33 min
    This short 1956 documentary shows how the Royal Canadian Air Force fulfills its primary role of maintaining constant vigilance and providing a blanket of aerial defense. It illustrates the combat readiness and shows how, in the event of an attack, warnings would be flashed to National Defence headquarters in eastern Canada and to Continental Defense headquarters in the United States.
  • The Defender
    The Defender
    Stephen Low 1988 54 min
    This documentary is about Bob Diemert of Carman, Manitoba, and his dream of building the world's next great fighter plane. His worldwide reputation as a genius at restoring "warbirds" enables him to finance his dream. The Defender is a lively, sometimes wild and funny, tale about a remarkable, modern-day folk hero.
  • Eye Witness No. 41
    Eye Witness No. 41
    Thomas Farley  &  Walford Hewitson 1952 11 min
    Sabres at the Ready: At British training centres Canadian airmen and Sabre jet fighter aircraft join Royal Air Force and American squadrons in NATO defense preparations. Midnight Sculptors: Nightly, in the centre block of Canada's Parliament Buildings, William Oosterhoff and his crew of skilled artisans carve beautiful Canadian motifs on limestone walls and cornices. Crime Detection at the Double: Montréal's motorized crime detection laboratory aids police detective squads in the rapid apprehension of criminals.
  • Eye Witness No. 22
    Eye Witness No. 22
    1950 10 min
    Alberta's Blood Indians: On their reserve near Cardston, Alberta, the Kainai take action against waste and want, to improve living standards. Music Master: All the world of music reaches blind Paul Doyon, piano virtuoso, through his "seeing fingers." Sky Sentries: Jet planes of the Royal Canadian Air Force's famed 401 Squadron scream through the skies over Montréal in an air defense exercise.
  • Eye Witness No. 79
    Eye Witness No. 79
    Walter A. Sutton ,  Grant Crabtree , … 1955 11 min
    Ferries, Tankers, Frigates - "Made in Canada": Craftsmen of Lauzon, Québec, carry on their forefathers' shipbuilding skills. Caviar Comes from Canada's Queerest Fish: Much in demand for export markets, sturgeon provide a profitable business for fishermen of the upper Ottawa River and for Mrs. Harry Donaldson of Temiscaming, who processes caviar. New Aircraft Joins Maritime Command: The Royal Canadian Air Force tests and approves the electronically equipped Neptune, the new medium-range aircraft of the Maritime Air Command.
  • Fighter Wing
    Fighter Wing
    Don Haldane 1956 30 min
    In this short documentary, Fred Davis introduces us to Canadian Air Force operations in Zweibrucken, West Germany. Follow Green Section as they perform drills and explain what it takes to be a fighter pilot.

    Part of the Perspective series.
  • Hunters and Bombers
    Hunters and Bombers
    We're sorry, this content is not available in your location.
    Hugh Brody  &  Nigel Markham 1991 53 min
    The hunters are the Innu people and the bombers are the air forces of several NATO countries, which conduct low-level flights over the Innu's hunting terrain. The impact of the jets is hotly debated by peace groups, Indigenous people, environmentalists and the military. But what is often overlooked are the many complex changes underway in Innu society, as social and technological changes confront a traditional hunting culture.
  • Neptune Mission
    Neptune Mission
    Walford Hewitson 1958 30 min
    Royal Canadian Air Force submarine hunters--Neptune aircraft--patrol the Atlantic, and in a realistic training exercise lead Royal Canadian Navy destroyers to an "enemy" submarine.
  • Screaming Jets
    Screaming Jets
    Jack Olsen 1951 11 min
    Canada's progress in jet aviation is seen in relation to that of other countries. Aerial exhibitions show the performance of jet aircraft produced by countries foremost in the field, particularly Britain's Comet and her Sapphire-powered jet fighter, American stratojet bombers and Russia's fast-climbing MiG-15. At Canadair we see production of the Royal Canadian Air Force Sabre jets; at the Avro plant the Jetliner transport and the sleek, black night fighter CF-100. The film concludes with glimpses of aircraft of the future.
  • Snowbirds
    Snowbirds
    Doug Cole 1982 14 min
    The Snowbirds, The Canadian Armed Forces Air Demonstration Squadron, performing across Canada. The film portrays the role and close associations among all members of the air and ground crews, which are essential to safe and impressive demonstrations.
  • Test Pilot
    Test Pilot
    Fergus McDonell 1957 30 min
    A suspenseful story by Arthur Hailey about the excitement and hazards of being an aircraft test pilot.

Explore