British Pathe

Rowlands Castle, Hampshire.

M/S of 80 year old Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe sat at a table in his study, there are various trophies and models around him; he is holding a pencil and opens a large sheet of paper on the table. C/U as he smoothes it down and looks at it. The narrator says he is an aircraft...

Rowlands Castle, Hampshire.

M/S of 80 year old Sir Alliott Verdon-Roe sat at a table in his study, there are various trophies and models around him; he is holding a pencil and opens a large sheet of paper on the table. C/U as he smoothes it down and looks at it. The narrator says he is an aircraft pioneer who, in 1908, was the first man in Britain to design and fly an aircraft. C/U of a model of the biplane he flew. C/U of his face looking at some plans, C/U of the plans on his desk, these are for a new car which he has invented. He picks up a set square and starts drawing on the designs. C/U of two medals on the desk, one is to commemorate the first flight of an all British aeroplane and the other was given to him by the Americans for his pioneering services to aviation.

C/U of a portrait on the wall of a young man in an R.A.F. uniform, this is his son Squadron Leader Eric Alliott Verdon-Roe. C/U of another portrait of a young man with a moustache, he is also in R.A.F. uniform, this is his other son, Squadron Leader Ligton Verdon-Roe D.F.C. Both sons were killed during World War Two. M/S of Sir Alliott at his desk working on his plans. C/U of his face, C/U of him using a compass on his designs. M/S of his sideboard with a big ornate lamp in the middle, it also has a model aeroplane on it and a portrait of a biplane as well as a trophy and a photograph. M/S of Sir Alliott getting up from his desk with his design.

Exterior. L/S of the house. His daughter, Patricia, is sitting on the patio under a sunshade reading. He comes out of the house, looks at Patricia, and points to his paper.

He walks down towards the garden where his new design is waiting. It is a 60 mph 'Bicar' which is square and silver with a windscreen and two wheels and resembles a big scooter. He picks up a tool and takes it over to the car. C/U of him adjusting the dials and handlebars. M/S as he lifts the lid on the back half of the car and takes out his flat cap, C/U as he puts it on his head.

C/U of Patricia reading, she is wearing a big white hat. L/S of Sir Alliott on his scooter, he starts it up and rides down the garden. C/U as Patricia looks up to watch him. L/S of Sir Alliott speeding round the garden. C/U of Patricia looking back at her paper. M/S of a bicycle stood up on the lawn, Sir Alliott rides into the frame and gets off his Bicar. He walks over to the bicycle and takes a pair of bicycle clips off the saddle. C/U of him putting the clips on his trousers. M/S as he wheels the bicycle further down the garden, he then climbs on it the wrong way round, with his back towards the handlebars. He puts his hands on the handlebars behind him and his feet on the pedals and starts to cycle. C/U of him cycling, the camera pans down to show his feet pedalling, it then moves back up to show his face.