SPEED UP ON STIRLINGS [Main Title]

The production of Stirling bombers at the Short Brothers factory in Swindon.

The "speed up" of the title, which introduces an element of 'plot' into the film, concerns an effort to increase production of fuselages to keep up with wings, by means of detailed planning and sub-assembly; dialogue, and narration by managerial and foreman staff, explains that 19 sub-assemblies were eventually used in the fuselage, necessitating 10,000 extra drawings, careful jig making etc. Besides office scenes, film contains extremely good shots of some details of construction eg (Reel 1) - fuselage: riveting, installation of turrets, dashboard, throttle box - wings: wing tips, engine mounting, fuel tanks, undercarriage; complete fuselage wheeled out. (Reel 2) Fuselage transported by road - final assembly: tail, wings fitted, alignment checked - airscrews, 'leading edge' fuel tanks fitted (close-up jettison valves and 'stockings') - installing controls - painting roundel - testing undercarriage, bomb loading, rear turret. Complete plane wheeled out, engines started.

35mm