Summary: "His Majesty reviews air defences. Mildenhall and Duxford."
Description: King George V, accompanied by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, arrives at Mildenhall to inspect the RAF's "360 war machines of the sky" on 6 July. The King, wearing the uniform of an Air Marshal, temporarily takes over command of the 2200 airmen when Sir Robert Brooke-Popham hands over his baton. After inspecting the guard of honour from Uxbridge Depot the King gets into his car and is driven slowly past the assembled aircraft, including Harts (of 18 Squadron), Bulldogs, Boulton Paul Overstrands and Sidestrands, and Vickers Virginias. The King, who "showed great interest in the secrets of these modern engines of destruction", stops beside a Boulton Paul Overstrand, and watches the front turret move. "100,000 spectators, many of whom slept overnight in their cars to avoid the road crush" watch the ceremony and see Heyfords take off for Duxford, where the King has gone to join the Queen and the Duchess of York to take the salute at the flypast. The flypast involves Harts (602 Squadron), Handley Page Heyfords and Bristol Bulldogs. Aerial photography shows Harts flying in close formation en route for Duxford. The commentary claims that the RAF (comprising fighters, bombers, reconnaissance and coastal defence planes) has "the best fighting aircraft in the world".
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:RMY 103-1
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:NON-IWM
Featured Period:1919-1938
Production Date:1935-07-08
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Universal (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Brooke-Popham, Robert Moore 'Henry' (person)
George V, King (person)
Mary, Queen (person)
Elizabeth, Queen (person)
George VI, King (person)
Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Boulton Paul Overstrand (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Boulton Paul Sidestrand (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Bristol Bulldog (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Hawker Hart (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Vickers Virginia (object name)
ceremonies, British - display: flypast (object name)
delegations, British national - state: George V visits Mildenhall and Duxford (object name)
GB, England & Duxford, Cambs <RAF Station> (geography)
GB, England & Mildenhall, Suff <RAF Station> (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: 434 ft; Running time: 5 mins
