World Of Discovery

The Last African Flying Boat

In the late 1930′s, the Empire flying boats of Imperial Airways linked the British colonies of East Africa from Egypt to South Africa. They carried passengers in country-club comfort on a five-day journey featuring luxury accommodations and five-star service. A half-century later, journalist Alexander Frater, producer/director David Wallace and a camera crew made a harrowing attempt to recreate the trek over present-day Africa – across what had become five independent states and two war zones. Through remarkable vintage footage of the original flights and the fascinating film of the modern-day trip, you’ll enjoy a rare glimpse of a bygone era and an inside look at the new Africa, a continent of diversity, strife and transition. As seen on ABC. Narrated by Roy Scheider.