TAKE CARE OF THEM [Main Title]
Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections.
Click here to find out more.
- Title: TAKE CARE OF THEM [Main Title]
- Film Number: AMY 211
- Other titles:
- Summary: An educational film that serves to remind pilots and others, to be aware of the vast amount of work and care which goes into the modern aircraft. Most of the film is filmed inside an aircraft production factory. Good, clear photography with a concise narrative; the pictures carry the message with additional minor comments from the group leader to augment a particular point.
- Description: Reel one: A selection of RAF pilots are taken on a guided tour of an aeroplane factory. They watch the thousands of men and women of all trades arriving for work as their guide arrives to explain that he will take them to key operations only, since a full tour of all operations would take many days. The tour starts in the assembly hall where a completed Beaufighter stands. The group walk around the aircraft noting the components they will later see in detail. The strength of the aircraft relies strongly on the wings, of spar and rib construction. The wing is attached to the fuselage at the wing roots, a critical stage. The under-carriage and two radial engines also rely upon the integrity of the spar. Prior to their assembly, the sections of fuselage are manufactured and the many electrical and hydraulic components already installed. The group begin to realise how complex the aircraft is, requiring many thousands of working hours. The rear section of the fuselage is attached to the main body by just six tensile bolts. The cockpit is a mass of flying controls, electric cabling, hydraulics and a multitude of instrumentation. It is also attached to the main body in a similar manner. The guide stresses the load taken by the under-carriage when taking off and landing, and cautious the pilots to take extra care; the failure of a single critical component can lead to a succession of cascading failures resulting in a crash. The group leave the assembly hall and proceed to a variety of sub-assembly shops, pausing at the press shop to watch the 40,000 ton hydraulic press punching out several components in one compression. Next the spar shop. The spar is the backbone of the aircraft, workers seen attaching the ribs and a complex of fittings to the spar, prior to it’s arrival at the fabric and dope shops. Here the control surfaces of the aircraft are covered in fabric before doping. Reel two: The front and rear fuselage sections are under construction in the next shop. The skeleton of the aircraft appears as the horizontal stringers are attached to the upright U shaped formers, then covered by metal sheeting. These components are temporarily fastened together by a series of locating pins known as ‘skimmers’, a permanent fastening then made with riveting guns or electric spot welding at 80,000 amperes which gives a spot fastening stronger than the material itself. Moving on, the group observe the assembly of the under-carriage and attachment to the aircraft frame, noting the complexity of this vital component. As they pass a partially completed aircraft undergoing inspection, the pilots of the group are able to view the huge array of internal components and fittings not normally seen, and appreciate the high standard of skilled workmanship. Likewise the wings and flying surfaces are exposed to their critical view. The group arrive at the machine shops and to the manufacture of engines. The group leader speaks, ‘the engine will withstand a great deal of misuse, but like the human heart, respond to a loving care’. A new radial engine is seen on a cradle, permitting a close inspection by the group. In the rough material shop castings, stampings, forgings, and pre-shaped metal bars are arranged on shelving awaiting treatment in the machine shops. Castings for engines and superchargers, forgings for cylinder barrels, con-rods, sleeves and many other component parts are seen as they continue to the machine shops. The camera pans to the great variety of machines in this large shop. Turret lathes, vertical and horizontal lathes, pillar drills, radial drills, multiple drills, milling machines and grinding machines, all require the full time attention of an experienced operator. Small components are made by automatic machines, requiring only occasional attention from an operator. The group had a particular interest in the machining of a rotary engine cylinder barrel, and of the complex hydraulically operated machines, performing several operations simultaneously. A cylinder casting weighs 48 lbs. compared to 16 lbs. for the finished cylinder. A master rod requires 97 operations on the 41 lb. forging, weighing 11 lbs. when finished. Comparative film of these two components is displayed. Reel three: Many metallic components require heat treatment to relieve internal stress incurred during the machining operations. The group proceeds to the heat treatment shop where carburization, annealing and case and nitrogen hardening processes are used to achieve this. Nearby is the electroplating shop for small components that require some form of surface protection. The samples of the various materials used throughout the factory are tested regularly to ensure consistency of quality. Shock resistance, hardness and tensile strength measurements are made. Major steel components are tested by magnoflux or electroflux to test for minor cracks that are not readily detected by eye. The dimensions and quality of finished components are monitored, from cylinder sleeve valves to a simple bolt as they proceed to the sub-assembly shop. Here all the major sub-assemblies are assembled, checked and finally brought together in the main erecting hall. Engines proceed down an adjacent assembly line as components are added to make a complete engine. Measurement checks continue to the very end of construction. The group are reminded yet again of the care and dedicated work of all employees throughout the factory, and now it is up to them (the eight pilots) to extend their appreciation by caring for their aircraft when flying. Last call is the engine test bed and adjacent control room where every engine is run up before dispatch. The film ends as the guide bids them farewell, and saying ‘for your sake, and ours, take good care of them’.
- Alternative Title:
- Colour: B&W
- Digitised:
- Object_Number: AMY 211
- Sound: Sound
- Access Conditions:
- Featured Period:
- Production Date: 1942
- Production Country: GB
- Production Details: ROYAL AIR FORCE (Production sponsor) Selwyn Films (Production company)
- Personalities, Units and Organisations:
- Keywords:
- Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound
- Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 3 Length: 2888ft
- HD Media:
- Link to IWM Collections page:
- Related IWM Collections Objects: