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Summary: Film showing the importance of flying boats and the rôle that they may have to play in providing cheap and accessible air travel for everyone.
Description: The film shows the hustle and bustle of the airports; the Princess, a flying boat built to carry two hundred passengers, landing and taking off from water. Their role in World War One, especially searching out submarines. The Famous Sea Class Empire flying boats of the 1930s; their role in World War Two, for example bringing guns to bear on the Bismarck. Arguments for and against land planes, emphasising that the flying boat may be a cheaper and more efficient mode of travel. The Princess, the largest flying boat ever built, emphasising the idea of maximum people and minimum ground services. The film concludes by suggesting that 'the harbours of the whole world are open to her - her runway is the sea. Her trials are a culminating success - to put a place in the clouds for you and me'.
Production Details: Gaumont British Specialised Film Unit (Production company)
Wells, Frank (Production individual)
Legg, Stuart (Production individual)
Linzee, Lewis (Production individual)
Poitier, Adrian de (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords: aircraft, British - seaplane: Britannia flying boat (object name)
aircraft, British - seaplane: Empire flying boat, Sea Class (object name)
aircraft, British - seaplane: Princess flying boat (object name)
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: 2
Footage: 1499 ft; Running time: 15 mins
