"Last of the Few" - Last Spitfire Film?
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"Last of the Few" - Last Spitfire Film?
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.
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.
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......
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......
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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!
Oh and Beags is right the RAFMausolem have no soul!
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!'
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!'
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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.
I was invited to show the film at the AGM of the Spitfire Society last year, where it generated quite a bit of interest.
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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).
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
If all else fails, do it commercially - you'll have no shortage of customers, me for one.
G
Gnome de PPRuNe
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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
Cheers
Treadders
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.
Who knows, they might be interested in taking it on.
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Sign me up for a copy too 
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.
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.
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Spitfire film
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.
