Description
Object description
Documentary record of the maiden flight of the first prototype of the BAC TSR2 (XR219) from the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A&AEE) airfield at Boscombe Down, Wiltshire, on 27th September 1964.
Content description
Film opens with XR219 sitting on the airfield apron at Boscombe Down. Test pilot Roland Beaumont and navigator Donald Bowen stand next to the aircraft looking at a piece of paperwork (final pre-flight checks?) View of the front of the TSR2, filmed with the camera pointing upwards from the ground towards the aircraft. Beaumont and Bowen climb onboard the aircraft and settle in to their positions. Bowen makes a thumbs up gesture towards the cameraman. Close up shot of the flight authorisation sheet. Controllers at work in the control tower at Boscombe Down. Bowen closes the navigator's hatch, followed by Beaumont closing the cockpit canopy. Small crowd of people assembled by the runway to watch the flight (including presumably members of the design team). XR219 taxis out to the runway, watched by the crowd. XR219 ready on the runway, as viewed from the control tower, and prepares for take off. Group of cine and still photographers assembled on a grassy bank recording the event. XR219 takes to the skies to the first time. Underexposed air-to-air views of the TSR2 in flight, accompanied by Lightning chase plane XM968 (possibly filmed from Canberra chase plane WD937). The crowd watches XR219 landing back at Boscombe Down. The brake chute is deployed once the aircraft's wheels have touched the ground. The TSR2 taxis back to the airfield apron with the pilot's canopy and navigator's rear hatch raised. As the aircraft taxis along, various test aircraft can be seen in the background including a Vulcan and Victor. A smiling Beaumont and Bowen are met by the assembled group back at the dispersal area. Film ends with Beaumont walking across the airfield apron.
Physical description
16mm