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Title:APPRENTICES OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE [Main Title]
Film Number:COI 347
Other titles:
Summary: The training of RAF apprentice technicians.
Description: Film of Vulcans in flight acts as introduction: "what keeps these aircraft... at the topmost peak of efficiency?" The film proceeds to look in some detail at the No 1 School of Technical Training, RAF Halton (Frank Whittle's name on graduates' honours board). The 4 basic fitters' trades, Electrical/Instruments, Armament, Aeroplane and Engine, are explained, and various stages of training shown: engine workshop; flight in 'Chipmunk' trainer; wind tunnel study of aerodynamics; a special classroom, connected as 'cockpit' with outsize demonstration instruments to 2 real engines; generators and instruments; weapon demonstrations (including Meteor's cannon and Aden gun firing); general classroom and social life scenes. A briefer similar sequence looks at the No 1 Radio School (at Locking). The film then portrays the life of newly qualified Junior Technicians: preparing air-air missiles for Swift fighters, or completely servicing Vulcan bombers prior to take-off. There is throughout a strong recruiting undertone: "A career in the RAF is a challenge to your enterprise and ambition."
Production Details: Air Ministry (Production sponsor)
Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
Editorial Film Productions (Production company)
Blanchard, Guy (Production individual)
Mellor, James (Production individual)
Edwards, Rex (Production individual)
Osborne, Alan (Production individual)
Hill, Douglas (Production individual)
Birch, Dudley (Production individual)
Gamley, Douglas (Production individual)
Lack, Simon (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, Radio School, 1 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, School of Technical Training, 1 (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Avro Vulcan (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Supermarine Swift (object name)
aircraft, British - light military: De Havilland Chipmunk (object name)
communications, British air - electronic: radio (object name)
operations, British air - maintenance (object name)
operations, British air - preparation (object name)
propaganda, British - practical: recruitment, Royal Air Force (object name)
recreation, British air - casual (object name)
society, British air - education (object name)
training, British air - weapons (object name)
GB, England & Halton, Bucks <RAF School of Technical Training> (geography)
GB, England & Halton, Bucks <RAF Station> (geography)
GB, England & Locking, Somerset <RAF Number 1 Radio School> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 1656 ft; Running time: 19 mins