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Summary: Fragmented film of events at an RAF air display at Southampton, June 1930.
Description: A civilian, presumably the inventor, describes the workings and advantages of the Westland Pterodactyl IV, a 'flying wing' aircraft beside him. A test pilot takes off in the Pterodactyl. As part of the air display a biplane, recreating the First World War, makes a 'balloon busting' attack on a tethered kite balloon, which bursts into flames. A woman's voice can be heard crying "Oh, look - Oh !" as this happens. The Pterodactyl comes back in to land. RAF rescue launches race each other in line through Southampton water. Two Supermarine Southampton flying boats overfly the coastline. One comes down to land in slow motion. Another taxies on the water. A Vickers Vildebeest torpedo bomber prototype (designated O-3 on its side) take off for a trial flight and drops its torpedo on a mock attack.
Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - R and D: Westland Pterodactyl (object name)
combat [simulated], British air - anti-balloon (object name)
aircraft, British - balloon: observation kite balloon (object name)
ships, British naval - assistance: RAF rescue launch (object name)
aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Supermarine Southampton (object name)
aircraft, British naval - combat: Vickers Vildebeest & [R and D] (object name)
Southampton area, Hampshire, England, UK (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent (part Sound)
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: None
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 356 ft; Running time: 6 mins
Notes: Technical: the film has a soundtrack for its first items, up to the end of the flight of the Pterodactyl. Thereafter it is silent, not mute
Series continuity: there is no film held as IWM 864
