theboylowe
September 8, 2008 at 11:39 am

WWII RAF Film 'Pilots in the Making'?

Hi all,

I realise this is a huge long shot as I have very little details to go on but thought it would be worth the ask…

My Gran reckons my Grandad (F/Lt Ken Bass – 133020) appeared in film to do with RAF pilots in the making / training.

She thinks it was a short promotional film aired in the early 40’s & she also thinks they saw it in the cinema at the time

Has anyone got any ideas on where I could start to look?

Here’s some information on his training whereabouts…
July 1940 – Physical training in Torquay
Aug/Sept 1940 – Pilot training in Derby
Sept/Dec 1940 – Night flying training in South Cerney
Jan/Apr 1941 – General reconnaissance in Canada: Prince Edward Island
June/Aug 1941 – Operational training in Silloth

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

1,411

Send private message

By: Mondariz - 8th September 2008 at 15:19

Another place to look is the Imperian War museum collection, which you can browse online: http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/qryMain.asp

It has films that could be the one you are looking for, like this:

INTO THE BLUE [Main] 9/1940 Scenes from the early training of RAF aircrew.

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

Send private message

By: theboylowe - 8th September 2008 at 14:57

Brillaint stuff – I’ve just seen the ‘RAF Unseen’ films listed on Amazon so I think i’ll buy them. Got to be worth a shot

I’ll also keep a look out for ‘The first thing’

Unfortunalty my Gran never saw it but her brother in law did, sadly he’s no longer with us so I’m unable to find out anything more about it

Thanks for the info!

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

1,411

Send private message

By: Mondariz - 8th September 2008 at 14:28

There was a film made in 41-42 called “The first thing”. Which is kind of an introduction to military life for RAF personnel.

Maybe if you could specify some scenes from the film, nightflying, formation flying, or anything else that could make it easier to pin-point.

Member for:

19 years 1 month

Posts:

1,411

Send private message

By: Mondariz - 8th September 2008 at 12:20

There are a number of DVD collections around.

All called something like “Royal Air Force At War – The Unseen Films 1939-1941”

amazon.co.uk

AFAIK these films are now “public domain”, meaning that they are no longer protected by copyright.

If thats the case, you should be able to find them cheaper than at amazon, or get a legal copy from someone.

I have the 1948-1953 collection and they are good fun to watch.