Details

This information black and while film examines aircraft development in Britain during the first half of the Twentieth Century between, between the late 1920s and the early 1950s.

It was actually a remarkable period, during which Britain advanced from the bi-plane to the supersonic jet, in a span of barely 25-30 years. Of course World War II played a massive role and impetus for the development of bigger and faster and more advanced aircraft, and Britain was every bit as innovative as the Americans or any other country for that matter when it came to aeronautical advances.

This film takes us from the days of the Zeppelins and airships, to the era of the fabulous Short Sunderland flying boats and high performance racers of the early 1930s. All the major British aircraft of World War II are highlighted including the German Luftwaffe Stukkas, Heinkels, Messerschmidts, and Dorniers. Along with the British Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, Halifax, Sterling, the US Air Force Fortresses and Liberators, and the F7F Hellcat and carrier operations of the Pacific theatre against Japanese Zero kamakaze pilots.

Then the films move on to the post was transports, where British industry was far behind the US due to the war efforts having strained finances and focus through the latter 1940s. The Avro York and Hermes were British offerings against DC-6s, Convairs and Constellations. The late 1940s and 1950s brough rapid advances in the jet turbine engine and aircraft designers pushed aircraft design to limits never thought possible,

Famous British test pilots of 1950s turned pipe dreams into shape and speed, and Britain was finally making her mark as a world leader in aeronautical design and achievement. The Vickers Vulcan and Victor, the Handley Page Valiant, Hawker Hunter and even the Vickers Viscount and De Havilland Comet were all at the forefront of British industry in the early 1950s, which is where this film concludes.

All in all this 26 minute film is a wonder review of a period when Britain regained her place as a world leader, having risen from the hardship and hard fought victory of World War II.

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