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Newsreel

AERIAL JOURNEYS | An unconventional tour of Britain

Newsreel | Car Engined Plane Wins Air Race

Raymond Baxter reports on the South Coast Air Race.

Synopsis

Cameraman Cyril Page climbs aboard a Percival Proctor to give a pilot's view of the race. Flying over countryside, beaches and cliffs, the plane (named Windmill Girl) heads for the finishing line at Brighton Pier where enthusiastic crowds are gathered. The South Coast Air Race was organised by the Daily Express and the Royal Aero Club.

Did you know?

Zita Irwin, the pilot of the plane used for this broadcast, was one of a number of women recruited into the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). The ATA transported aircraft from the factories to the RAF's airfields in Britain during the Second World War, enabling RAF pilots to tend to front line duties. Reportedly, at first female pilots weren't allowed to wear trousers, only skirts.

Contributors

Max Aitken (Express Newspapers)
Contributor
Raymond Baxter
Broadcaster
Zita Irwin
Pilot
Hugh Kendall
Pilot
Cyril Page
Cameraman

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Documents

The article 'From An Aeroplane Over London', Radio Times, 29 Sep, 1950, Vol. 108.

FROM AN AEROPLANE OVER LONDON

WRITTEN 1950
2 DOCS

A 'Radio Times' draft and article about the BBC's first live broadcast from an aeroplane.

A BBC internal memo from Head of Television to Television Productions Manager, 1950.

OPERATION PEGASUS CAUSES PROBLEMS

WRITTEN 1950
2 DOCS

The Head of Television Programmes criticises 'Operation Pegasus'.

A BBC internal memo outlining the production costs of 'Operation Pegasus'.

OPERATION PEGASUS MEMO

WRITTEN 1950
1 DOC

The costs of the first live broadcast from the air.

A letter from John Betjeman, July 1968.

A LETTER FROM JOHN BETJEMAN

WRITTEN 1968
1 DOC

Ideas for the first 'Bird's Eye View' episode.

A letter from John Betjeman, Sep 1968.

A LETTER FROM JOHN BETJEMAN

WRITTEN 1968
1 DOC

Helicopter filming causes problems for John Betjeman and chaos ensues at Longleat.


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