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Short Summary
-
Description
-
Data
- Film ID:
- 1817.13
- Media URN:
- 60699
- Group:
- Unissued unused
- Archive:
- British Pathe
- Issue Date:
- Sound:
- Mute
- HD Format:
- Available on request
- Stock:
- Black & White
- Duration:
- 00:04:26:00
- Time in/Out:
- 01:37:21:00 / 01:41:47:00
- Canister:
- UN 330 B
jamied says
Seen here are the Westland Whirlwind heavy fighters of No. 263 Squadron.
The markings seen on the aircraft from 01:46 to 01:59 signify that they they were paid for by the Fellowship of the Bellows, these being international groups which collected funds for the British war effort.
Identifiable at 03:38 are No. 263 Squadron Whirlwinds HE-L and HE-M.
beermat says
Further research suggests that while the aircraft were marked 'Bellows' this was for 'PR' purposes. At least one of the aircraft seen in close up was not actually paid for by the Bellows organisation. What happened was the Bellows club of Argentina had provided enormous amounts of money, which did go into aircraft production for the RAF - but the aircraft actually chosen to carry the name were chosen arbitrarily, with some 'Bellows' Whirlwinds ending up with 137, some with 263. Unfortunately, it was announced by some Ministry press officer that 263 was a new squadron, composed of entirely of Whirlwinds paid for by the Bellows Club. This was patently untrue on both counts - but nevertheless 263 henceforth became known as the 'Bellows' squadron. This would have ben fine except for the appearance of the Pathe film crew, charged with making something for the folks back home in the Argentine about their squadron.. Hence the hastily-applied "Bellows" on aircraft in used for close-ups..