Summary: A recruitment film produced to illustrate the progress the RAF has made in 40 years, with recruitment potential for pilots and ground crew. The ‘flapping wings’ sequence will be of interest to early aviation enthusiasts. The identity of the flapping wing is not revealed in the film.
Description: Film opens to a Meteor aircraft, the fastest fighter aircraft in the world performing low, high speed passes at a RAF station. The Meteor lands and is guided by the ground crew to the dispersal area, and the pilot, Group Captain Donaldson, climbs out of the aircraft, having just established the record, and signs off to the ground crew. The nose of the Meteor is marked ‘World speed record 615.78 mph Littlehampton, Sussex 7 September 1946’. The commentry notes the contrast to 40 years ago. Film cuts to two constructions with large flapping wings trying to get airborne, both without success, the second one crumbling into a heap. Camera returns to the Meteor preparing to take off. The commentry notes that the RAF mobile exhibition entitled ‘Man Takes Wings’ is “coming your way”, telling the story of how man learned to fly. The Meteor accelerates down the runway, lifts off and climbs steeply into the sky. The film closes as text appears on the screen: ‘Mobile RAF exhibition Man Takes Wings. Watch your local paper for details’.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:AMY 681
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1946-1975
Production Date:1948
Production Country: GB
Production Details: AIR MINISTRY (Production sponsor)
