A bomber crew during a raid over Berlin in World War II: This VR documentary puts you in the shoes of Wynford Vaughan-Thomas, a BBC war reporter, as he documents a bombing run on Germany’s capitol during WW2. You’ll listen to his dramatic commentary from 4th September 1943 while you watch the action inside the bomber.
The documentary is a collaborative effort between the BBC, BBC Northern Ireland and developer Immersive VR Education. It puts visitors into the belly of a Lancaster bomber dubbed ‘F for Freddie’, giving a sense of what it was like to fly over Berlin while anti-aircraft shells burst all around.
Watch the Trailer
Moments after slipping on the VR headset, users find themselves seated right in the middle of the Lancaster bomber, surrounded by its crew as it flies over city, avoiding searchlights and bursts of anti-aircraft fire before releasing the bomber’s payload and returning to Britain.
The 15-minute VR experience without much interactivity (beyond the ability to look around the cabin) turns users into observers, listening to Vaughan-Thomas as he describes the events occurring around him in real-time.
The developers recreate the experience of being inside the bomber, listening to the pilots and navigators talking tersely to each other and then, on the return journey, laughing and joking in the very midst of carnage.
Screenshots
Developer’s Description
How the developer summarizes the experience (quote): In September 1943, a BBC reporter boarded a plane on an allied bombing raid over Berlin. The incredible recording he returned with forms the basis of this breathtaking experience, putting you inside a Lancaster bomber as it navigates a most dangerous journey.
Quick Facts
| CATEGORY: | WORLD WAR II | |
|---|---|---|
| RELEASE DATE: | 4 Oct, 2018 | |
| DEVELOPER: | Immersive VR Education | |
| PUBLISHER: | BBC Media Ltd. | |
| PLATFORMS: | PCVR | |
| SCREEN MODES: | VR ONLY | |
| PRICE: | FREE |
Opinion
Experiencing this in VR can be quite harrowing and even frighting, as it reaches so far beyond just watching films or reading books.
It's only 15-minutes long, but its free and well made, making it well worth your time."
