Alex Henshaw Spitfire Demonstration Flight

[Terenceskipp]

Can anyone help in locating a copy on VHS or DVD of the full length Spitfire demonstration flight by Alex Henshaw. I believe it was included in a TV documentary of "The Spitfire" aired in the late80's/early90's. Part is shown on the DVD "Ferry Pilot" but I am seeking a fuller length record, particularly of his low inverted pass by hangers etc.

[It flies]

It's not looking hopeful judging by the lack of replies so far. Sadly I can't help either but I would love to see this footage as well so I thought I'd give this thread a bump.

Edit: Documentary no longer needed. See post #21.
If anyone has a dvd copy of a documentary about his life, "The extraordinary mister Spitfire", it too would be much appreciated. There is a poor quality excerpt from the documentary here:

Spitfire doc - LiveVideo.com (http://www.livevideo.com/video/84565D2A7DEE41D39EFC47687ED70375/spitfire-doc.aspx)

[Skittles]

I think the best method would be to contact the curator (or equivalent) of the RAF Museum London. Henshaw left a lot of material to the museum.

He was survived by Alexander Henshaw Jr, so perhaps the curator might even be able to put you in contact with his son.

[Terenceskipp]

Thanks for that. I will try them. So far no success with BBC, they wanted to charge disproportionate fee to check their archives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aviate1138]

Here's some more at the start of this YouTube item. Best shots I have seen so far of a master in action.

YouTube - Henshaw CBAF (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCmzYccyBYM)

[Terenceskipp]

Thanks........... that film clip is from the DVD, "Ferry Pilot"..........I'me struggling to find a longer sequence, particularly that as described in AH's book "Sigh for a merlin".
But thanks anyway.

[astir 8]

I've a nasty feeling that I read somewhere that there isn't any film of a full Henshaw demo - which is heartbreaking.

[Terenceskipp]

Problem is I remember seeing & recording on VHS a him flying for Winston Churchillas part of a TV documentary . Unfortunately VHs has been lost (thrown away by wife????????????????????????????????)
Can't remember what the programme was though. Approx 15 yrs ago

[Flying Lawyer]

Henshaw left a lot of material to the museum.Skittles is right.

From the RAF Museum website: For curatorial enquiries relating to the Aircraft & Exhibits Collections, Fine Art Collection, Medal & Uniform Collection, Film & Sound Collection and the Photographic Collection:
curatorial @ rafmuseum.org
020 8358 4873
Fax: 020 8200 1751


Re the suggestion of trying to contact Alex Henshaw Jr:
Unless it really is important, I'd advise against troubling him. He and his wife aren't in great health and I suspect that, if Alex Snr had a copy, he would have given it to the RAF Museum.

[Terenceskipp]

thanks for that advice, will respect their privacy

[It flies]

I just browsed through some old video tapes. By chance I came across an old episode of 'Battle for the skies - The History of the Royal Air Force', episode 'A Vicious Sting'.

Amazon.com: Battle for the Skies - The History of the Royal Air Force [VHS]: 1@ Shv Dd2252-Dd2257: Video (http://www.amazon.com/Battle-Skies-History-Royal-Force/dp/1581680074)

After about nine minutes there is a shot of only a few seconds in which someone flies a Spitfire in front of a camouflaged hangar in a nicely held sideslip. In the next shot it banks hard going the other way, all well below roof height.

No guarantee of course it was piloted by Alex Henshaw, but apparently footage like this still exists in an archive somewhere.

[Terenceskipp]

Thanks for that.
I've seen this & it is another partial clip of his full display.
I'll keep trying.
Regards Terenceskipp

[It flies]

Another possibility might be to contact British Pathe. They used to make the cinema newsreels and have a large archive of clips like this one:

British Pathe - FLIGHT RECORD (http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=7852)

It's not unlikely British Pathe filmed the original fragment.

[Terenceskipp]

Thanks, that's another avenue for me to try.

[Super Cecil]

I take it the inverted pass was throttled off?

[PontiusPilote]

??? None of the early Merlins had an effective inverted fuel system. Fixed later in the war.

[midnight retired]

You may like to try this unusual source in your quest for Alex Henshaws Spitfire demonstration , IWM "Ferry Pilot" WW2 documentary directed by Pat Jackson.

The documentary is about the valuable work of the ATA during WW2 but is also notable for some excellent Spitfire film and may just provide the detail that you have been searching for.

Having read "Sigh for a Merlin " I am looking forwards to viewing this film myself.

[Mike7777777]

Here's some more at the start of this YouTube item. Best shots I have seen so far of a master in action.

YouTube - Henshaw CBAF (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCmzYccyBYM)

Excellent clip, thanks. That would be a real show stopper at Duxford!

[Terenceskipp]

If you watch the u-tube clip carefully you will see the "puff of smoke" from the exhausts as the engine picks up in the inverted position. So I believe he has the throttle open for the inverted pass.
Still searching for the full footage, which i recall included an inverted pass below hangar roof level & a half bunt!!!!

[It flies]

Maybe this was the program you saw?

'Inside story - The Spifire', first broadcast on the 18th of september 1987. It has some more footage, but still no full display.

It can be watched in its entirety here:

BBC - Archive - WWII: The Battle of Britain - Inside Story | The Spitfire (http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/battleofbritain/11417.shtml)

A few of low passes from 17:00 onwards, none inverted though.

[pchapman]

The Mr Spitfire show did show up on a file sharing website, FWIW.
(Link at THE EXTRAORDINARY MR. SPITFIRE (http://uprius.com/view1.php?id=242223))
I haven't watched it all, but it seems to have the bits of Ferry Pilot that also show up in the one youtube video.

[It flies]

Thanks chapman. I have tried a few that didn't work. I'll give this one a try.