The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is currently unavailable
Video Player is loading.
Royal Opening of Plymouth Airport
The sky's the limit for Plymothians as the city's airport gets the seal of approval from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
In partnership with:
Overview
The royal opening of Plymouth Airport on 15 July 1931 heralded a new age of discovery for the inhabitants of this pioneering port. Re-live the excitement of the occasion and observe His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, meeting local dignatories and watching the first planes taking off.
Plymouth's Airport, Roborough Aerodrome had already been in use for some time before its official opening by HRH the Prince of Wales on 15 July 1931. The Prince arrived in Plymouth by train as he was unable to fly in his own Puss Moth due to bad weather conditions. The Air display did eventually go ahead with a demonstration flight for Councillors in the Handley-Page 'Hannibal'. The Prince received a souvenir in the shape of a silver model of a Puss Moth before returning to London in a Westland 'Wessex' piloted by Flight Lieutenant E.H. Fielden.
Related
Watch for free
Dingles of Plymouth Dingles of Plymouth
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Plymouth
A charming regional commercial for Plymouth’s best loved department store.
Watch for free
Millbay Laundry Millbay Laundry
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Plymouth
Help keep your relationship on track by outsourcing your laundry!
Watch for free
Model Clipper Sailor Model Clipper Sailor
Current affairs 1965 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Former shipwright turns his talents to model-making.
Watch for free
Comely Caviar Comely Caviar
Current affairs 1984 1 mins Location: Plymouth
Reporter tests the theory of caviar heightening libido.
Watch for free
Last Cooper Last Cooper
Current affairs 1967 5 mins Location: Plymouth
The last apprenticed cooper in the Royal Navy’s Royal William Victualling Yard undergoes a trusso, an ancient rite of passage.
Watch for free
Liberté Liner Liberté Liner
Current affairs 1961 5 mins Location: Plymouth
Cruising into the history books SS Liberté makes its final voyage stopping at Plymouth en route to Le Havre.
Watch for free
British Cinema Breaking with Convention British Cinema Breaking with Convention
Inside Film 2010 30 mins
Jonathan Romney and a panel of directors defend the unorthodox and original in modern British cinema.
Watch for free
Rhianna Dhillon introduces I'm Still Here Rhianna Dhillon introduces I'm Still Here
Short documentary 2025 3 mins
Critic and broadcaster Rhianna Dhillon introduces the Oscar-winning Brazilian drama.
Watch for free
180° Rule - BFI LFF 2020 - Q&A 180° Rule - BFI LFF 2020 - Q&A
Inside Film 2020 11 mins
Farnoosh Samadi, the director of 180° Rule, and actor Sahar Dolatshahi in conversation following an online screening at LFF 2020.
Watch for free
Dreams of a Life (Q&A) Dreams of a Life (Q&A)
Inside Film 2011 14 mins
Director turned detective Carol Morley (and actor Zawe Ashton) explain how an anonymous death changed both of their lives.
Watch for free
The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A The Extraordinary Miss Flower - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 28 mins
Directors Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard talk about their film, which unpacks a suitcase of love letters that inspired an album by Emilíana Torrini.
Watch for free
Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A) Afrika Bambaataa on Afrofuturism (Q&A)
Inside Film 2014 45 mins
Afrika Bambaataa and DJ, musician and filmmaker Don Letts discuss the development of Afrofuturism and its key artists.