It may not be widely known that Sir Peter Jackson has made a WW1 flying movie and it is simply breathtaking. It can only be seen in the Great Aircraft Hall of the Australian War Memorial at Canberra and is a multi-screen spectacular that runs about 15 minutes. You sit under a real SE5a and beside the Albatros, near the DH9 and the Avro 504K with the Pfalz DXII nearby which only makes for better atmosphere.
The film recreates the era of the Australian airmen on the Western front and can best be described as using "Lord of the Rings" quality visual effects quality on a WW1 flying movie. Squadrons of SE5as, whole Jastas of Fokker D.VIIs, a Camel attacking a balloon, an RE.8 fighting off an Albatros..... it's a sensory overload.
And no, the film is not available on DVD and I understand there are no plans to do so. It's exclusive to the Australian War Memorial.
However in return for Sir Peter making the film I hear his TVAL people were given unique access to the WW1 aircraft and even laser-scanned them for TVAL reproductions....and apparently the data was shared with Wingnut Wings to help in their kit design. So we all benefit!
It's worth going to Canberra solely for this museum and especially to see this film.
cheers
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia