Summary: Record of the methods and techniques evolved by the Air Ministry Works Directorate for construction on airfields during the Second World War.
Description: After a brief review of the war and types of airfield construction during that period, the various procedures for selecting and constructing sites are gone into in detail. Scenes showing initial investigations (eg testing load-bearing of earth) through to design (drawing office activities), demolition of existing site, arrival and use of heavy equipment, excavation (eg raising gravel from pit), levelling and construction are shown in detail. Various methods of preventing cracking in laid concrete are shown (straw, bitumen, water). Vehicles with company names involved are shown eg 'Wimpey', 'Cranford Sand and Ballast', 'G T Mead, Chalfont St Peter".
