GREAT PLANES

Air Warriors, 8pm, 11pm, Smithsonian

THIS solidly informative show returns with a new series and opens strongly, with a full hour devoted to the Lancaster. Flying more than 150,000 missions between 1942 and 1945, the heavy bomber and the brave crews who manned them played a crucial role in the long fight for victory over Nazi Germany — of the 7,377 built, 3,249 were lost in action. There’s more on the Second World War in the new two-parter Living In Germany At War (7.35pm, PBS America), which presents the perspectives of ordinary Germans under Hitler — and gives a chilling insight into human nature. And if you want to see more about the Lancaster, next Saturday (8pm, More 4), there’s a repeat of The Lancaster Bomber At 80, a tribute to the aircraft first shown last year, narrated by David Jason