Summary: A very brief cartoon history of flight and the RAF.
Description: An RAF Station: the moon and stars overhead form "Per Ardua Ad Astra". A plane lands, the crew go to bed; an animated 'pan' along their quarters shows the 'wings' on the uniforms of all except a trainee whose cubicle is decorated with 'history of flight' theme. The trainee dreams - Daedalus and Icarus; 1785, Balloon crosses channel; 1903, Wright Brothers; 1909, Blériot. Blériot's plane metamorphoses into an early RFC biplane, and then WW1, post-war aircraft, Schneider Trophy, WW2 and finally jets are briefly suggested by further metamorphoses. The trainee is dreaming of ever-faster speeds when Reveille (or The Rouse) sounds. After breakfast, the flight crew take off, and many planes fly over, watched by the trainee. Finally a lone plane turns into an eagle, and so into the RAF crest with the caption 'First Line of Defence'. Music throughout based on the RAF march.
Alternative Title:
Colour:Colour
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:COI 255
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1946-1975
Production Date:1949
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
Halas and Batchelor (Production company)
Chagrin, Francis (Production individual)
Chagrin, Francis (Production individual)
RAF Central Band (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: society, British air - history: RAF (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: Music only
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 525 ft; Running time: 5 mins
