Aviation Videos Catalogue

AV House 3375 Billhirst Place, Victoria, BC V9C 3S6 250-294-3905 Aviation Videos Catalogue New DVD Releases: Other Popular Titles

AV House 3375 Billhirst Place, Victoria, BC V9C 3S6 250-294-3905 Page 2 Table of Contents Flying Arrows Sea Wings RAF Coastal Command Arrow From Dream to Destruction Avro Arrow Building the Arrow CF-105 Avrocar Avro Jetliner Avro Canuck Avro Lancaster RCAF/RAF Aircraft at War Remember the Stirling Warbirds and More Mosquitos Airborne The Mosquito Spitfire Memphis Belle Target for Tonight Target for Today Thunderbolt Flying Fortress Canadian Steam at War 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9

FLYING ARROWS The Avro Arrow's first flight was on March 25, 1958 but within a year those achievements would be in the final stage of destruction at the hand of the cutter's torch. But, for that short period of time the Arrow was the world's best and most advanced jet fighter. This is that story - The Avro Arrow's Flight Test Program, from start to finish. The complete Flight Test Program is covered from engine testing, taxi trials, flight simulator, ejector seat development and testing through to the 11 months of actual flight testing of all five Arrows that were completed. The video features many scenes that have never been seen before. DVD Extra: "SUPERSONIC SURVIVAL" A film about a special test track constructed in the Utah desert for the testing of ejector seats at supersonic speeds. Included are scenes from the Arrow's ejector seat testing at the track. Colour, 82 minutes SEA WINGS Canadian Naval Aviation Beginning in 1946 the Royal Canadian Navy took delivery of it's first aircraft carrier, HMCS Warrior, on loan from the Royal Navy. Over the next 22 years three carriers served with the Royal Canadian Navy: HMCS Warrior, HMCS Magnificent, and HMCS Bonaventure. Featured aircraft include: Fairey Firefly, Hawker Sea Fury, Grumman Avenger, Sikorsky HO4S-2, McDonnell Banshee, and Grumman Tracker. (B&W and Colour, 55 minutes) DVD EXTRAS RCN during World War Two For 6 long years the Canadian Navy was one of the principal contenders in the Battle of the Atlantic. Beginning the war with a mere 13 vessels and 3,000 men, the RCN ended the war with 373 fighting ships and over 90,000 personnel. (B&W, 27 min.) RCN Fleet Review To commenorate the Royal Canadian Navy's 100th Anniversary the Pacific International Fleet Review was held in Victoria, BC in June 2010 involving 21 naval ships from six countries. The DVD features: ship arrivals, fireworks display, fleet review and a spectacular air show. (Colour, 18 minutes) Total running time: 100 minutes COASTAL COMMAND Coastal Command is a 1942 documentary-style account of the Short Sunderland and PBY Catalina flying boats during the Battle of the Atlantic. All personnel appearing in the film were serving RAF and RN officers, NCOs and aircrew. The film features wonderful photography and some great footage of attacks on a major enemy ship by Hudsons and Halifaxes from an air force base in Iceland. This film shows how the personnel and planes of Coastal Command played such a vital part in winning the war. DVD Extra RCAF Eastern Air Command During the Second World War the RCAF's Eastern Air Command was responsible for protecting the Atlantic shipping lanes off the East coast. The main aircraft of Eastern Air Command were the Lockheed Hudson, Douglas DB-1 Digby, the PBY Catalina and the B- 24 Liberator. 67 minutes, B&W and Colour

ARROW FROM DREAM TO DESTRUCTION Why was the Arrow project killed? This question and more are explored in this thought provoking account of the Arrow. Produced utilizing over 10 hrs. of original Avro Aircraft colour film footage, coverage includes design, free flight models, construction, ejector seat testing, taxi trials, Arrow's first flight, and extensive coverage of the flight testing program of all five Arrows that flew. Also included is the Iroquois engine development, with B-47 engine test flights, and installation in Arrow number 206. The Astra-Sparrow armament system, including actual Sparrow missile test launches is also featured. DVD Bonus: UNVEILING THE ARROW and FREE FLIGHT MODELS Colour, 85 min. DVD AVRO ARROW... CF-105 A Short History It was a plane 20 years ahead of its time, scrapped by a government that was out of touch with the times. Compiled from rare colour film footage shot by Avro Aircraft this is a tribute to a great aircraft and to everyone who worked on it. See the Arrow from design through to its many test flights. Rare scenes include: design work, wind tunnel tests, model test flights, aircraft assembly, engine testing, and the Arrow's first flight. Beautiful shots of all five Arrows that were completed. DVD Bonus: FIRST FLIGHT OF THE ARROW Colour, 43 min. DVD BUILDING THE ARROW (DVD includes Testing the Arrow Design) See in detail how the CF-105 Arrow was built as it moved down the assembly line. Produced from original Avro Aircraft colour film footage, coverage includes the design, construction of wooden & metal mock-ups, construction of major components and their assembly into a complete Arrow. TESTING THE ARROW DESIGN Wind tunnel and free flight models were used extensively in testing and refining the Arrow design. Shown are the construction and use of these high precision models. Eleven free flight models were launched between 1954 & 1957. Nike rocket boosters were used to launch these models up to supersonic speed. Col., 79 min. DVD CF-105... Avro Arrow Enthusiast Edition For all of the Arrowheads out there we have put together a special selection of footage on the Arrow. This SILENT 104 minute video was compiled from nine original Avro Aircraft 16mm films shot during the Arrow's construction and testing program: ARROW 202 IN FLIGHT, GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, ARROW UNDERCARRIAGE, ARROW 201 ENGINE TESTING, FLYING ARROWS, ARROW ASSEMBLY, ARROW ESCAPE TRIALS, 3D MODEL OF ARROW PRODUCTION LINE, and ARROW TAXI TRIALS. Colour & B&W, 104 min. DVD ALL SILENT

AVROCAR... Avro's Flying Saucer The story of Avro's experimental "flying saucer", the Avrocar. It was the result of Avro's research into vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Research and development started in the mid 1950s but development was cancelled in 1961 after flight stability problems could not be overcome. Rare footage includes: construction of the craft, wind tunnel tests, and many of its tethered and free flight tests. DVD Bonus: HELIVECTOR A one man amphibious helicopter, the DH-4 Helivector, could be flown by a novice and featured two 18 foot diameter counter rotating blades. Colour, 40 min. DVD AVRO JETLINER The Avro Jetliner which first flew in 1949 was North America's first jet transport. Numerous U.S. airlines wanted it and even Howard Hughes was ready to buy 30 Jetliners for TWA. But in the end, only one Jetliner was ever completed and flown, find out why. Scenes in this video include: aircraft design, construction, air to air footage from its many flights throughout the USA and Canada. The story of the CF- 100 is also told. DVD Bonus: Canadian Headlines of 1949, 11 minutes Colour and B&W, 42 minutes DVD AVRO CANUCK... CF-100 All Weather Interceptor The CF-100 was Avro Aircraft's only aircraft to ever reach production. During 8 years of production 692 aircraft were built. In this film the CF-100 is seen from construction through to RCAF squadron use. Scenes include: assembly, test flights, rocket firing tests, excellent air to air shots in addition to numerous takeoffs and landings. DVD Bonus: THE JET AGE An Avro Aircraft film featuring the CF-100 and the Jetliner. It shows in detail the construction of the CF-100 and the Orenda jet engine that powered the Canuck. Excellent scenes of the flight testing of the aircraft. Colour and B&W, 50 min. DVD

AVRO LANCASTER... The Story of the RCAF Lancaster See Canadian built Lancasters from their construction at Victory Aircraft through to their use by the RCAF during and following World War II. Scenes include the Lancaster construction in Britain and Canada, bombing missions, sinking of the German battleship TIRPITZ, and post war use in Canada by the RCAF. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum's Mynarski Memorial Lancaster is also featured. Scenes include restoration work, test flights, the dedication ceremonies, takeoffs and landings, and air to air shots. Today, the Museum's Lancaster is the only one flying in North America, and one of only two still flying in the world. DVD Bonus: 19 min. of additional scenes added to the original 1989 production, plus THE MASTER PLAN, day and night bombing missions as carried out by A-20 Bostons and Lancasters. Colour & B&W, 79 min. DVD RCAF/RAF Aircraft at War This video was produced using rare 16mm colour film shot in theatres of war in Europe, North Africa, Southeast Asia; and in Canada. In Canada, pilots and air crew are seen training in Tiger Moths, Harvards, Ansons, and other aircraft at bases across the country. Home defence squadron aircraft such as the Hudson, Canso, and Digby are seen on submarine patrol over the Atlantic. Overseas, famous British and American aircraft such as the Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, A-20 Boston and B-25 Mitchell are seen on the ground and in the air. Other aircraft featured are the Halifax, Wellington, B-24 Liberator, P-36 Mohawk, C- 47 Dakota and Fairey Battle. Colour, 60 minutes DVD REMEMBER THE STIRLING The Short Stirling was the first of the RAF's trio of four engine bombers. Designed in 1936 it first became operational in 1941 and was the RAF's main heavy bomber in the early years of the war. The various construction phases of this giant bomber are shown in detail at an aircraft factory. Also shown is a flight with a Stirling on a typical night bombing raid on Duisburg: pre-flight briefing, take-off, flight to target, bombing and return to base. B&W & Colour, 55 min. DVD WARBIRDS AND MORE... 60 Years of Airshows The Definitive Airshow Video with scenes from over 25 aircraft. Along with airshow footage from 1930 to the present, a special feature covers The War Years with superb colour footage from the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and the RCAF on the home front and overseas. Aircraft featured include: R-100, Ford Trimotor, Harvard, A-20 Boston, Spitfire, Halifax, Lancaster, B-25, Canso, Vampire, Avro Jetliner, Avro Arrow, Golden Hawks, Red Knight, Harrier, B-52, F-15, CF-18, Martin Mars, Snowbirds and more. Colour, 62 minutes DVD

MOSQUITOS AIRBORNE Relive the Mosquito's history from the first prototype built in 1940, through aircraft production; and bomber and fighter missions during the war. Scenes include: the Mosquito Aircraft Museum at Salisbury Hall where the first Mosquito was built; rare film footage of daylight attacks including the raid on the Amiens Prison, and Gestapo Headquarters; gun camera footage; interviews with the men who flew the Mosquito; and flying scenes of the last remaining Mosquitos. DVD Bonus: Kermit Weeks Mosquito at the 1988 Hamilton International Airshow. Colour, & B&W, 64 minutes DVD THE MOSQUITO This video tells the story of the remarkable de Havilland Mosquito. Here you see the concept behind the Mosquito: its design, development, construction, and operational service, with much action footage. The Mosquito was produced in almost 50 different versions and in all of these it excelled, whether it was a bomber, fighterbomber, day or night fighter, or as a photo-recon aircraft. B&W, 50 minutes DVD

SPITFIRE This 1945 film production documents the part played by Spitfire squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. It shows the RCAF fighter squadrons in action in England and Italy during 1943-44; and in France, Belgium and Germany from D-Day up to the end of the war in Europe. These tactical fighter squadrons were designed as mobile and completely self sustained units. As the war front moved closer to Germany temporary air bases were continually on the move following the advancing ground forces. All aspects of a tactical fighter base are shown from the support and ground crews who kept the Spitfires ready for action to the pilots who took them into action. B&W and Colour, 45 minutes DVD MEMPHIS BELLE Produced in 1943 by The United States War Department this film is considered one of the finest wartime documentaries produced during the Second World War. The focus of this film is The Memphis Belle, a B-17 who's crew was responsible for 25 successful missions over enemy territory. It takes you up behind German lines, fighting enemy aircraft and shows you the real people behind the scenes, dedicated flyers fighting for their country. Exceptional piece of filmmaking that was awarded the Academy Award for best documentary in 1944. Directed by William Wyler. DVD Bonus: The Reel Memphis Belle, a B-17 from the 1989 feature film is featured at the 1994 Hamilton International Airshow, 11 minutes. Colour, 51 minutes DVD TARGET FOR TONIGHT This 1941 production is an excellent reconstruction of a typical RAF bombing mission and includes a lot of aerial footage of the attack itself. The "star" is a Wellington twinengined medium bomber called F for Freddy, part of No. 149 Squadron flying from Mildenhall. The 'actors' are its crew - ordinary serving aircrew of the time. The story begins with the reconnaissance flight, the study of the target (an oil refinery) and a plan of attack which required F for Freddy to go in first. Based on a superb geodesic design concept devised by the genius, Barnes Wallis, the "Welly" could take an astounding amount of punishment from enemy fighters and ack-ack and yet still limp home. B&W and Colour, 50 minutes DVD TARGET FOR TODAY General Ira Eaker called this October 9, 1943 attack on key targets in Germany and Eastern Europe "the classic example of precision bombing." This historic film documents every phase of the operation from target selection to crew briefings to bombs away. Some 378 Liberators and Fortresses took part in this longest mission of the war. Strike photos revealed that it was highly successful: 352 bombers credited with hitting their targets. B&W, 93 minutes DVD

THUNDERBOLT This outstanding 1944 colour documentary was directed by William Wyler and narrated by Jimmy Stewart and Lloyd Bridges. It shows the famous and aggressive 57th Fighter Group of the 12th Air Force in their P-47 Thunderbolts providing close air support in operation Strangle. They were able to stop the advance and supply of the Germany Army and opened the road to Rome for the advancing Allied forces. DVD Bonus: P-38 LIGHTNING FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS, how to fly the P-38. Colour, 77 minutes DVD FLYING FORTRESS In this 1944 full colour documentary Clark Gable escorts you on a tour of the 351st Bombardment Group USAAF at its base in England. Gable takes you for a close-up look at every detail of their operation, from the tactical briefing room to the tireless ground crews working to keep the mighty B-17s in the air. Then you'll join the 351st on an actual bombing raid on Germany as the Group's B-17s drop their bombs and fight off enemy aircraft in spectacular aerial combat. Colour, 62 minutes DVD CANADIAN STEAM AT WAR During the war Canadian railways transported vital raw materials to war factories; then carried the finished goods to the coast and overseas. They even built ships, tanks, and other weapons. This important time in Canadian railway history is documented through rare footage and photos highlighting the tremendous contribution the railways made to the war effort. The video begins with a segment on the Royal Tour of 1939 and the 12 car Royal Train which carried the King and Queen on their cross-canada tour. B&W and Colour, 50 minutes DVD