Summary: Film record of the effort by workers in an aircraft factory to produce a Wellington bomber in 30 hours or less, working voluntarily over one weekend and donating their bonus earnings to the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund.
Description: The film provides quite good coverage of various processes in construction; the commentary, besides describing what is going on and recording the time elapsed, pinpoints by name individual workers, explains their pre-war jobs, etc. (Reel 1) shows assembly of fuselage framework, fitting of floor, cockpit, electrical wiring; basic assembly of wings; fabric covering for wings and fuselage, application of dope. (Reel 2) Engines installed, final assembly begins; rear turret installed; undercarriage; roundel; 'plane taken to testing area; corrections made (film stresses throughout that standards were not lowered for faster speed) - plane wheeled out and takes off for test flight, 24 3/4 hours after start of construction.
Production Details: Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
Crown Film Unit (Production company)
Elton, Ray (Production individual)
Monck, John (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Vickers (regiment/service)
Keywords: Royal Air Force 1939-1945 (theme)
British Home Front 1939-1945 (theme)
British War Work 1939-1945 (theme)
aircraft, British - combat: Vickers Wellington (object name)
industry, British - aircraft: Vickers Wellington (object name)
society, British - charity: Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1210 ft; Running time: 14 mins
