The Shah Visits Britain

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  • Release Date: 1st January 1948
  • Asset ID: 800816
  • Synopsis: The story of the Shah of Iran's visit to Britain in July 1948, during which he visits the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company's Sunbury Research Centre, Portsmouth's naval dockyard, and airfields in Bristol. Described by Lionel Gamlin.
  • Shotlist: B/w 12:10:35 Opening titles. 20th July 1948: The Shah arrives in the Duke of Gloucester's aircraft, and the Duke of Gloucester welcomes him at airport. Welcoming ceremony, where the Royal Air Force provide the guard of honour and the Shah inspects it. 12:12:09 Arrival at Buckingham Palace, where the Shah is greeted by King George VI and inspects the palace guard 12:12:27 Exterior Sunbury Research Station, the Shah arrives and Sir William Fraser hands a golden key to the Shah, with which he opens a new engine research laboratory. The Shah inspects the catalytic cracking plant. 12:13:58 The Shah inspects the physics laboratory and talks with young Iranians studying in England, then leaves. 12:15:12 In Portsmouth and the naval dockyard, the Shah inspects the Royal Guard of Honour, then they march pass while he salutes. HMS Victory in the background, the Shah boarding the Victory. 12:16:08 The Duke of York, flagship of the home fleet, in her berth. The Shah boards. met by Sir Roderick McGregor, Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, and inspects the various different types of ammunition used on the ship and climbs into one of the gun turrets. Disembarks. 12:17:30 Plane landing at Bristol, where the Shah is met by Sir Stanley White of the Bristol Aircraft Company. He inspects and drives a Bristol motor car, then inspects an aircraft factory and its prototypes. Good footage of the interior of a hangar. The Shah climbs scaffolding at the tail of a plane under construction. 12:19:16 Display by a Bristol helicopter, Bristol Brigand plane and a Gloster Meteor plane. Boarding, take off and landing of Meteor, then the Shah goes for a short flight in a helicopter. Good take-off of helicopter. 12:21:07 Walking past more assembled soldiers, Lord Mountbatten and Air Chief Marshal Lord Tedder bid farewell to the Shah at Northolt Aerodrome at the conclusion of his stay. Plane takes off. 12:21:59 The End
  • Production Company: None
  • Licensing Restrictions: None
  • Viewing Restrictions: Public
  • Format: BetaSP_Small
  • Alternative Language Notes: None