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Summary: A survey of the equipment and brief but already glorious history of the RAF, including the contributions of the Air Forces of the Empire.
Description: WW1 and inter-war film shows glimpses of Sopwith Camels, SE5s, Bristols, the Hendon pageants and the Schneider trophy, followed by an inventory of RAF bombers: Wellingtons, Whitleys, Blenheims, Beaufighters, Stirlings, Halifaxes, all designed to "smash the heart of Germany" - grateful mention of US Hudsons and Flying Fortresses. A brief sequence on crew training is followed by a long sequence on the Battle of Britain, incorporating all the usual camera-gun stock shots: it is mostly Hurricanes that are seen on the RAF side. The contribution of Empire airmen is stressed. Film closes with camera-gun shots as RAF fighters strafe German shipping.
Access Conditions:IWM
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1941
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
British Movietone News (Production company)
Perrin, Raymond (Production individual)
Sanger, Gerald (Production individual)
Mitchell, Leslie (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Hawker Hurricane (object name)
combat, British - air strike (object name)
propaganda, British - inspirational (object name)
training, British air (object name)
GB, England (geography)
camera-gun (concept)
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: 905 ft; Running time: 10 mins
Notes: Remarks: third of 4 newsreel compilations - see remarks to THE EMPIRE'S NEW ARMIES (CBE 201).
