This film is part of Free
Tests from Aeroplanes
Developing the lifebelt of the air - or "how the stranglehold demon was exorcised"
Overview
The parachute is the lifebelt of the air, but if there is no room to wear one in the cockpit, how can it be safely deployed in seconds from the plane? The solution was to carefully pack one into a launching disc attached to the undercarriage, but as this film shows, the process was one of trial and error. This series of filmed experiments used the relatively young technology of the film camera to observe and diagnose this "stranglehold" problem - an early example of film being deployed for scientific purposes.
Filmed at the Chingford Royal Naval Air Station in June 1916, two pilots are shown putting themselves at risk for the safety of others in the future. It is somewhat ironic that testing a parachute system puts you in greater need of just such a safety net yourself.
Related
Shower Baths in the Trenches Shower Baths in the Trenches
Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent
A humble scrub is all it takes to get these French troops in a lather.
Airship No. 9 Airship No. 9
Non-Fiction 1916 14 mins Silent Location: Walney Island
The maiden flight of Britain's first successful rigid airship – just don’t call it a zeppelin…
The Scarecrow The Scarecrow
Comedy 1916 12 mins Silent
A tramp steals the clothes from a scarecrow, but when he realises two couples are using its pockets to pass messages, he sees an opportunity.
Tubby's Typewriter Tubby's Typewriter
Comedy 1916 11 mins Silent
Newlywed Tubby fancies another man's typewriter and ends up in hot water with his new wife
Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale Preston North End Football Club at Deepdale
1916 8 mins Silent
Preston North End play Liverpool (probably) in a regional football competition during WWI.
Industrial Sidelights Industrial Sidelights
Interest film 1916 7 mins Silent
Goat farming, salmon farming and copper mining all feature in this enlightening oddity.
School Sports at Walthamstow Stadium School Sports at Walthamstow Stadium
Amateur film 1964 3 mins Silent Location: Chingford
At now-demolished Walthamstow Stadium, an amateur filmmaker captures the thrills of a sports day as well as the arena's famed Art Deco facade
Chingford Carnival Procession 1964 Chingford Carnival Procession 1964
Amateur film 1964 2 mins Silent Location: Chingford
Children and adults alike soak up the festive atmosphere as they wave ribbon wands, horse around and make merry at a north-east London carnival
Story of a Letter Story of a Letter
Amateur film 1949 9 mins Silent Location: Chingford
A teacher's homemade documentary, peeking behind the scenes at Woodford Green post office.
Opening of Chingford Odeon Opening of Chingford Odeon
Non-Fiction 1935 1 mins Location: Chingford
Short newsreel item on the construction of the art deco Chingford Odeon, produced for showing in the cinema on its opening day.
Wheel in Britain Wheel in Britain
Documentary 1953 27 mins Location: London
Speeding round Britain by bike: taking in the scenery in a 1,600-mile competitive tour.
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.