56 Squadron Hurricane footage 1940

Hi All;

One for the Essex boys maybe?

I was just browsing through my copy of Royal Air Force: The Unseen Films 1940, and right at the end of the DVD is some Pathe or Movietone footage of 56 Squadron Hurricanes during the Battle of Britain.

I know that this footage is quite well known, showing 56 Squadron Hurricanes dropping in over the airfield boundry for a landing, scenes at dispersal, erks playing football, pilots scrambling and the aircraft taking off. I’m sure most of us have seen this film before.

My question is this. I am sure that this film is always credited with being shot at North Weald. I had a very close look at the film and am 100% certain that this footage was in fact filmed at Rochford. Having checked landmarks shown in the film against Google Earth for reference this becomes even clearer. For example, the row of houses and shops in the background of the landing hurricanes matches exactly those in Southend Road which runs along side the railway on the eastern boundry of the airfield. Also the hangars in the background during the take off sequence match those of Rochford and not North Weald. The chimmney of the old Ecko factory is quite prominent too. Has this film ever been credited as being filmed at Rochford? I’m sure I’ve only ever seen North Weald mentioned. If I’m right, then this would probably date the film at around August 1940

Also; Is there any other wartime footage that was filmed at Rochford known to exist? I would be really interested to know if there was being an ex-Southend boy;)

Thanks in advance;
Steve