Aviation

Voices from The Battle Of Britain

In the summer of 1940, the fate of Britain hung in the balance, as across the English Channel one of the mightiest armies in history prepared to invade. With lightning speed and military brilliance Nazi Germany had already conquered all before them. However, Hitler would suffer his first defeat in a desperate struggle which took place in the sky over southern England that became known as ‘The Battle of Britain’.
Based on the book of the same title by best-selling author Henry Buckton, this film is based on a fascinating series of interviews with a wide variety of people who played a vital role in Britain’s ‘finest hour’. Included are the captivating accounts of six fighter pilots who risked their lives day after day to combat the Luftwaffe, which was at that time greatly more experienced in aerial warfare. Their memories are enhanced by the recollections of a gunner, two members of the 400,000-strong ground crew who kept as many aircraft flying as possible, a barrage balloon operator and men who helped to build Spitfires.
Illustrated by a wealth of archive film, rare photographs and evocative location filming at sites key to the battle, this is a fitting tribute to those fiercely patriotic yet utterly modest heroes who saved our green and pleasant land from invasion.

Britannia Tragedy

On November 6 1957, the Bristol Britannia airliner G-ANCA, on a test flight from Filton Airfield, plunged into a wood in the Downend suburb of Bristol, instantly killing the 15-man crew. This catastrophe left an indelible mark on those who witnessed the horror unfold, and their memories are at the heart of this story.

The video documentary released by 1st Take in 1997 has now been digitally enhanced and extended with fascinating new footage. To mark the 50th anniversary of the tragedy, the local parish council organised a commemorative service at the crash site, and this DVD includes the most comprehensive coverage of that poignant occasion. Among the speakers were Beryl Statham, widow of the test pilot, and Richard Randall, author of the book Death of a Giant, on which the original video was based. There is also rare, previously unseen footage of the Britannia in flght.

Other new accounts include those of Trevor Coles, a schoolboy in 1957, who remembers watching the tragedy while playing in his garden; and John Ottewell, a former Pathfinder navigator, who was closely involved with the Britannia project, and who vividly recalls a meeting with world- renowned entrepreneur Howard Hughes. Other highlights include the recollections of notable test pilots from that era, Godfrey Auty and Walter Gibb, and a tribute to Bristol’s proud aviation heritage. Finally, we visit Britannia woods to experience the new walkway, laid out so that people can pay their own remembrance to those brave aviation pioneers.

Despite the loss of G-ANCA, and earlier setbacks such as the forced landing of a Britannia on the Severn, a dedicated test team turned disaster into triumph. The result was one of the safest, quietest and most fondly remembered British airliners. Ultimately, this DVD is a tribute to their achievement.

Brabazon: The Beautiful Dream

On September 4th 1949, the largest land plane ever to be constructed in Britain took to the skies from Filton airfield, under the control of test pilot Bill Pegg. The 230ft wingspan of the Bristol Brabazon MK 1 cast shadows upon thousands of spectators, who were witnessing the fruition of a £12m project.

This revolutionary aircraft was designed to convey 100 passengers across the Atlantic in complete luxury. When the Brabazon project was cancelled in 1953, the giant machine had logged 400 hours of flight test, but it would never fulfil the crossing to North America.

With the help of unique archive footage, and stunning photographs, you can now re-live the Brabazon's full and fascinating history: from its conception in 1943 through to a sad demise ten years later.

Bristol Aircraft - A Century of Flight

Bristol has been at the heart of Britain's aircraft industry since the pioneering days of the early 20th century. With the help of rare archive film, fascinating photographs and informed comment this presentation celebrates the city's proud aviation heritage.

The instigator of Bristol's aircraft industry was George White, a locally born businessman of humble origins, who was later knighted for his achievements. Already experienced in the manufacture of motor buses and trams, he was an interested observer in the Wright Brothers' early experiments in powered flight. This provided the inspiration to begin his own aircraft production, and the Bristol and Colonial Aeroplane Company evolved at the top of Filton Hill.

The former tram shed was adapted to house the assembly of Bristol's first aircraft, the Boxkite. With the outbreak of World War One, the Bristol Scout, a fighter aircraft, defended the country against Zeppelin airships as they crossed the channel. The end of hostilities saw a massive reduction in demand, and the Great Depression spelt hard times for the company, which needed to revert to the production of buses.

However, with another European war looming, in 1935 the government decided to modernise the R.A.F.'s archaic resources. Consequently, the Britain First, a very highly advanced aircraft for the time, was developed at Filton. This led to the production of the Blenheim and the Beaufighter, both of which played a key role in the Second World War. The importance of Filton made it a strategic target for Nazi Germany, and both the works and the surrounding residential area suffered devastating air raids.

Peacetime brought a new challenge, and the company once more diversified with the production of cars and prefabricated buildings. Soon afterwards, the Brabazon and Britannia projects emerged, followed by the Type 188, the last aircraft to carry the Bristol name.

Bristol's role in the development of Concorde is also featured, together with an overview of the company's evolution into the Airbus industry of today.

The Bristol Britannia Story

The full story of arguably the most successful aeroplane ever to be produced in Bristol.

In July 1948 the Ministry Of Supply submitted an order for three Bristol 175 type aircraft, following ideas developed by the Brabazon committee. ‘Brabazon III’ ran in parallel with the ill-fated Brabazon project and eventually became known as Britannia. Its development was riddled with setbacks, as two aircraft were lost in test flights, and there were technical problems with the Bristol Proteus engines.

The Filton workforce overcame these hurdles and the Britannia became the first aircraft to carry 100 passengers non-stop both ways across the Atlantic.

The story is enhanced by the memories of test pilots Walter Gibb and Godfrey Auty, together with recollections of key personnel who helped to design and build the Britannia. Extensive archive film, illustrating Britannia’s promotional tours of the 1950s, and remarkable photographs provide a stunning visual backdrop to this fascinating documentary.

Concorde: Bristol's Supersonic Triumph

This is the most comprehensive record of the world’s only supersonic airliner: the full story of Concorde from the drawing board to her 30th birthday in 1999.

With the help of unique colour film and photographs, you can experience the signing of the historic agreement between Britain and France and the early development of supersonic test aircraft at BAC’s Filton site in the early 1960s.

Initial production on both sides of the Channel is featured, as well as an impressive roll-out ceremony at Toulouse, where leading political figures deliver their optimistic forecasts for the project.

You will hear from people involved at all levels of the design and production process, including Concorde’s Chief Engineer, Dr. Bill Strang, as well as electricians and machinists.

The voice of Raymond Baxter describes the first flight at Toulouse in dramatic style. Brian Trubshaw, who piloted Concorde 002 on her maiden flight from Filton to Fairford on April 9th 1969, recalls his part in aviation history in an enlightening interview.

Now that Concorde has retired, this documentary assumes a new historical importance, and is sure to be a treasured souvenir for everyone who has been captivated by this magnificent aircraft.

Concorde's Homecoming

Concorde’s final flight on November 26th 2003 will remain unforgettable in the hearts and minds of thousands of people.

This production is a comprehensive account of that special day, featuring film captured by cameras positioned throughout the Bristol area, from vantage points such as Bristol Cathedral, Cumberland Basin, Purdown, Horfield and residential tower blocks.

Concorde, the supersonic dream that became a reality, finally came to rest at Filton near Bristol, 34 years after its first flight from the very same airfield.

The Concorde project occupied more than 23,000 employees in Bristol, and many thousands elsewhere, including the factory at Toulouse in France.

Filton has experienced the excitement of many first flights, but the scenes captured on this special souvenir film will never be repeated. Many thousands of loyal Concorde fans lined the A38, as well as footbridges and rooftops for the best possible view as senior Concorde Captains Les Brodie and Mike Bannister steered the youngest of the Concorde fleet, GB0AF back to its spiritual home.

Spectators could also enjoy a long fly-past that included Filton, Henbury, Avonmouth, Portishead, Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and Central Bristol, and areas such as Downend, Kingswood, Yate and Winterbourne.

A treasured reminder of the only passenger aircraft to travel at twice the speed of sound, on the very boundaries of space.

Concorde: The People's Aircraft

The Concorde fleet has now been grounded, but there is still enormous interest in the aircraft, and much for enthusiasts to see, as this souvenir presentation reveals.

It includes a new appraisal of Concorde's technical advances, with the help of people who contributed to the aircraft's evolution, such as former Senior Flight Operations Officer Bob Griffin, and former Project Director Dr. Peter Calder O.B.E. It also features a comprehensive overview of the decommissioning and relocation of Concorde aircraft to museum sites.

You will see where Concorde can now be viewed, and you can re-live the historic journey of GBOAA from Heathrow along the River Thames to its new home at the Museum Of Flight in East Lothian.

Concorde 216, the youngest of the fleet, is featured at its new home in Filton, where it is open to public viewing.

The 'Speedbird' remains close to people's hearts, and public reaction to the retirement of the fleet is also featured, together with a look at the possibility of Concorde returning to the skies with the Save Concorde Group.

An unmissable treat for Concorde fans everywhere!

Airbus A380

This is the story of the largest passenger airliner ever built, the Airbus A380.

Highlights include historic film of its first flight at Toulouse in April 2005, spectacular footage of its maiden UK arrival at Heathrow Airport in May 2006 and a dramatic fly-past over the Bristol area.

Airbus clearly believe that big planes - not more frequent flights - will be the preferred way to handle large numbers of fliers in the future. Their new double-deck, four-engined airliner, the Airbus A380, is designed to provide the solution.

This presentation is a tribute to a record-breaking aircraft, which is poised to set new boundaries in worldwide aviation.