Summary: I. Seaworthiness trials of Short and Fairey seaplanes, probably Isle of Grain, 1918.
II. The launch of Felixstowe flying boats at Felixstowe naval base, 12 November 1918.
Description: A Short 184 some distance away from the camera comes in to land, then takes off. A PV5 seaplane taxies through the harbour, increasing speed to keep ahead of the camera boat. A Short 184 taxies around the harbour throwing up a lot of spray, weaving between the small boats. A King Edward Class battleship and a Gem Class light cruiser are in the background. The seaplane finally takes off. The Short 184 number N1081 on trestles on land showing that it is fitted with standard floats, followed by the same machine taxiing through the water. The view from the rear cockpit of the seaplane over the tail as it taxies. The Fairey N9 seaplane (a prototype version of the Fairey FIII) is also shown taxiing, then stationary and moving off, then coming in to land.
The Felixstowe F2A flying boat N4484 is wheeled out of its hangar by the groundcrew, which has to turn the aircraft completely sideways. A second flying boat, the Felixstowe F3 number N4308 is taken down the ramp towards the sea. Another of the flying boats, probably a Felixstowe F2 but with no markings, is also taken down the ramp. The third flying boat comes back to land after a patrol. The camera boat circles round it, the camera going out of focus as it does so. The Felixstowe taxies and takes off, then comes back in to land again.
Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
Royal Air Force (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Royal Navy (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Short 184 (object name)
aircraft, British naval - seaplane: PV5 (object name)
aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Fairey N9 (object name)
aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Fairey FIII & [R and D] (object name)
ships, British naval - battleship: King Edward VII Class (object name)
ships, British naval - cruiser: Gem Class (object name)
aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Felixstowe flying boat (object name)
operations, British naval air - preparation (object name)
operations, British naval air - return (object name)
31/3(41) (event)
First World War, Armistice & 12/11/1918 (event)
Isle of Grain, Kent, England, UK (geography)
Thames (River Estuary), England, UK (geography)
GB, England & Felixstowe, Suffolk <naval base> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 1040 ft; Running time: 17 mins