Power To Fly (1953)
Power To Fly (1953)
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- Release Date: 1st January 1953
- Asset ID: 802392
- Synopsis: BBC2 Trade Test film A colour cartoon film telling the story of centuries of trial and error during which man acquired the power to fly. Leonardo Da Vinci's studies of bird flight did not bear fruit until, three hundred years later, Sir George Cayley established the rigid wing principle with the first glider. Stringfellow flew a stream-driven model in 1848, but another fifty years of experiment were necessary before the Wright brothers could solve the problem of control in the air and embark on the first powered flight on 17 December 1903. Rapid progress made between 1914 and 1918 prepared the way for the large passenger-carrying bi-plane. The airliner came of age as the new war centered interest on fighter design and the quest for high-octane fuel. As the piston engine and its fuel were nearing perfection the jet engine arrived. Now we are on the threshold of the supersonic age.
- Shotlist: Silhouetted birds flying Various flying gods Icarus-type figure plunging from a tower More birds Da Vinci's notebooks, studying birds' flight, including sketch of 'helicopter' and 'parachute' Various quirky designs for flying machines 1783: Man makes his first flight in a hot air balloon Kites Sir George Cayley turns the kite into a glider The principles and mechanics of flight More quirky desisgns 1894: Steam engine design succeeds in lifting from the ground Fixed-wing glider Wright Brothers attempt flight Mono-plane and Bi-plane 1914: War creates need for bomber and fighter plane models Passenger planes and air travel Cleaner aircraft BP truck filling up aeroplane Variable pitch air-screw The role of the petroleum engineer Jet engines
- Production Company: Halas & Batchelor
- Licensing Restrictions: None
- Viewing Restrictions: Public
- Format: BetaSP_Small
- Alternative Language Notes: None