"Last of the Few" - Last Spitfire Film?

[ShyTorque]

I have a copy of a short film (format is 16mm, about 9 minutes long), called "The Last of the Few".

It is a record of what is almost certainly the last ever official flypast flown by an operational RAF controlled Spitfire squadron - a formation flight to commemorate H.M. the Queen's birthday in 1955. It was flown by the Hong Kong Auxiliary Airforce from RAF Kai Tak and features Mk21 and Mk24 Spitfires, filmed from a Harvard.

The colour film shows the pre-flight briefing, including the board brief showing the formation positions, the names of the pilots etc, the aircraft being fuelled ready for the flight (some nice clips of the old airfield with Lion Rock in the background), and shows a few clips of Dicky Laburn, who also produced the film, the ATCO on the day.

Flight Lieutenant (later Air Vice Marshall) Geoff Cairns led the Spitfire formation and he is possibly the only surviving participant.

RAF policy dictated that the aircraft should be grounded in April 1955 and this was certainly the last flight of a Spitfire in Hong Kong. The film finishes as VN485 (Mk24) is pushed back into her hangar and the doors are slid shut - the end of an era.

VN485 is now in UK at Duxford. I am uncertain of the fate of the other aircraft.

As far as I know, my copy of the film is the only one to survive.

What I am trying to assess is the historical importance of this film. I received a surprisingly lukewarm response from the RAF Museum, even though they hadn't heard of the film and don't have a copy.

If there is sufficient interest I might have the film transferred to video or DVD. What do PPRuNers think?

I had considered this before but didn't go ahead due to possible copyright issues. I have since researched this with the relevant authority and have recently been officially informed that there is no longer a Crown Copyright issue, 50 years having passed since the film was made.

[BEagle]

You ABSOLUTELY MUST get this irreplaceable piece of history transferred to DVD!!

Google for "16mm to DVD" and that should identify a suitable service. But don't trust your film to the post, take it in person!

Let me know when you've got copies for sale!

The RAF Museum has no soul......

[Man-on-the-fence]

I'd be surprised if the IWM arent interested. I have taken the liberty of asking a friend there of the best way to make contact with them. I will report back.

Oh and Beags is right the RAFMausolem have no soul!

[Archimedes]

Agree with BEagle. From what you say, it appears to be of considerable historical importance.

I'd be very, very surprised if the IWM weren't interested.

Having had dealings with the RAFM chief archivist (who I found a helpful and enthusiastic sort of chap), I'm surprised that they don't seem interested (I'm pretty sure that it's still the same bod).

Did you actually get through to the archives people? I only ask, since when I 'phoned to make first contact with them, the person who answered took some convincing that they had an archives and records section that I could be put through to. Ended up with me asking 'Well could I be put through to Peter Elliot, then, please?', garnering the response, 'Yes, sir. I'll just look it up in the dir...ooooh, the directory says he's the archivist! I never knew that!'

[ShyTorque]

Thanks, I've already previously made contact with both those organisations. The IWM were a little more enthusiastic, it must be said.

I was invited to show the film at the AGM of the Spitfire Society last year, where it generated quite a bit of interest.

[RabbitLeader]

I'd buy a copy of this if you manage to get it transferred onto DVD - I have more than a slight interest in late-mark Spitfires, especially the 24 (I'm going to build a mini-Spit as either an 80 Sqdn 24 or similar).

[PPRuNe Pop]

Shy Torque.

Please get it on to DVD as soon as you can. I will promise that PPRuNe will assist if we can. I would like one too.

PPP

[tinpis]

I believe the Spit in the Auckland museum is ex Kai Tak.

[Mark22]

I believe the Spitfire in the Auckland Domain museum is TE456.

Ex 3 CAACU Exeter.

Mark22

[Genghis the Engineer]

Absolutely, I for one would love to see it - but more to the point it's an important bit of historical record.

If all else fails, do it commercially - you'll have no shortage of customers, me for one.

G

[Vfrpilotpb]

ST,

Put me down for a copy of your DVD.

Peter R-B

[treadigraph]

ST, I'd like one too please - if you would like any help in producing a cd label/inlay card, let me know.

Cheers

Treadders

[Fokkerwokker]

Put me down for a copy too.

Always remember it being parked outside the firestation next to the 'nullah' at Kai Tak. :ok:

[Jhieminga]

ShyTorque, you might try to get in touch with these people: http://www.avionvideo.com/

Who knows, they might be interested in taking it on.

[Danza]

Sign me up for a copy too :O

I don't know how much it costs to copy to DVD, but if it is a lot I'd gladly help with a small donation to help save a film like that for posterity.

[RabbitLeader]

What about DD Video?

[Merlin70]

If you are able to reproduce it, I am certainly interested in a copy. On CD or DVD would be preferable to VHS.

[bigflyingrob]

A company called ITFC have a 16 mm gate for a telecine. A bit pricey but the film will be cleaned, graded and colour corrected as well so the results will be spot on. They are on the web under ITFC and are in West London. FAr better than the cheapo point a camera at a projector places.

[Vortex what...ouch!]

Please commit it to DVD and I will purchase a copy to help fund it.

[Mr_Grubby]

I'd buy a copy too, to help fund it.

Clint.

[TD&H]

Please add my name to the list. Would enjoy seeing this, and for it to be done to good quality.

Can/would the IWM be interested in adding something from their archives?

[Man-on-the-fence]

ShyTorque check you PM's (sorry should have said this yesterday)

[FJJP]

Shytorque -

I believe the IWM spent a great deal of money on building a storage facility for old nitrate film. The idea is that the building is heavily 'compartmentalised', with a sophisticated fire suppression system, so that if a film were to spontaneously combust the loss to the collection would be minimised.

They appear to be heavily into archiving old material, and doing it properly. It might be worthwhile pursuing this avenue since the footage is so rare. I agree with all the sentiments that it should be transferred to a more stable medium, be it video, CD or DVD.

And it needs to be done by a highly professional company, such as would be used by IWM [Unfortunately, I have no connection with either IWM or the industry, so can't give you specific contacts]. However, I would contact the IWM archivists [at Duxford?] as a first port of call...

[ShyTorque]

Thanks for all the interest and comments, and thanks to those folk who have P.M'd and offered to copy the film.

Having discussed the matter with a few relevant people, (PPRuNe'rs included) it is becoming very obvious that the actual film reel itself must be preserved. It seems that it is historically too valuable to risk copying it in a casual manner - it really needs an expert to assess its condition and repair it as necessary. Because of the age of the film, playing it again on a projector may damage it. I did have one VHS copy professionally made, which has proved it to be a colour film. The tape is quite watchable but there appears to be some damage on the film. No soundtrack was found at that time, btw.

I have been given some information on the making of the film from the Spitfire Society. I understand that possibly only 5 copies of the film were ever made, using a borrowed 16mm film camera. The other 4 copies may be lost, so hopefuly this one can be preserved.

I will progress this further and hopefully it WILL be available on DVD at some stage. I'll keep the website informed of any future developments.

[airborne_artist]

You might contact the NFT (http://www.bfi.org.uk/showing/nft/) as they have access to substantial film conservation skills.

[Hamrah]

Speaking of Spitfires, nice to see the ex Irish Air Corps T2 back in the air...

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=63079&stc=1

[PPRuNe Pop]

Now THAT is a nice restoration job! Whatever colour they are in, except maybe pink, they always look great. Another one to grace the skies.

[effortless]

Yes please, you will have no problem marketing it either.