This film is part of Free
There are some visual rarities in this fascinating compilation spanning three decades - featuring air raid shelter antics, switchback rollercoasters and aerials over Oxford.
From the collection of:
This fascinating compilation begins in the 1930s and features trips to various locations in the UK, including Harewood House, Glastonbury Tor and several cathedrals. A real treat is the aerial footage of the city of Oxford and the Morris Car plant at Cowley. It also shows a family of funsters trying out their air-raid shelter, though the dog gets left behind! There are pre-war scenes of Portsmouth and Southend as well as a number of situations requiring the fire service.
This film shows a skyline of pre-war Portsmouth and Southsea with the Guildhall in the distance. In the foreground is a rare glimpse of St Paul's Church, Southsea before it was destroyed by the Luftwaffe in January 1941. The passenger aircraft which is seen taking off from an airfield is a Handley Page W8b 'City of Bristol'. This aircraft type was the company's first civil airliner and seated 15 passengers in a closed cabin. The 2 pilots, however, sat in an open cockpit. This aircraft also had the distinction of being the first in the history of aviation to feature an onboard lavatory.
