In this episode of the Fighting High podcast, author Sean Feast sits down with award-winning film editor and director David Fairhead to explore the journey behind some of the most celebrated aviation documentaries of recent years.

David reflects on his early fascination with filmmaking and why editing is at the heart of storytelling and how that craft prepared him for directing.

The conversation then turns to the making of Spitfire, Lancaster and the forthcoming Mosquito. David shares how Spitfire began as a passion project fuelled by determination rather than budget, the challenges of filming rare aircraft in the air, and the five-year struggle to bring the story to the screen. He discusses lessons learned on Lancaster, including capturing 38 invaluable Bomber Command interviews, and reveals how Mosquito completes an unplanned trilogy—films that are ultimately less about aircraft and more about the people who flew, maintained and lived through them.

A rich, personal insight into filmmaking, history and remembrance.

Directed by David Fairhead and Ant Palmer Lancaster was released in 2022 and Spitfire in 2018.