• Short Summary

    Squadron-Leader Swain describes his record breaking flight. Farnborough, Hampshire.

  • Description

    Item title reads - Altitude record. Squadron-Leader Swain describes his thrilling experiences.

    Farnborough, Hampshire.

    Various shots of Squadron-Leader Swain in R.A.F. uniform. Various shots as he describes his experiences on his journey to fly higher than anyone else, these are inter cut with shots of him flying in his aeroplane and cloud formations. He says the window of his special suit frosted up and he felt like he was being suffocated as his oxygen supply ran out. He cut a window in the helmet of his suit so he could breathe, C/U of window. Various shots of Swain talking.

    Note: For footage of his preparation for the flight, including take off and landing please see item entitled 'World Altitude Record' in 36/79 on *PM0889*.

  • Tags

  • Data

    Film ID:
    889.08
    Media URN:
    13070
    Group:
    Pathe newsreels
    Archive:
    British Pathé
    Issue Date:
    05/10/1936
    Sound:
    Sound
    HD Format:
    Available on request
    Stock:
    Black & White
    Duration:
    00:01:52:00
    Time in/Out:
    01:15:17:00 / 01:17:09:00
    Canister:
    36/80

Comments (1)

  1. jamied says

    "Squadron-Leader Swain" is Francis Swain.

    "shots of him flying in his aeroplane" - the craft is a Bristol Type 138A, (Serial No. K4879), the only one of its type ever built.

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