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Vanished world: aerial views of Britain as it was go on show Vanished world: aerial views of Britain as it was go on show
(about 20 hours later)
A classic bank holiday Monday view of Hastings pier in May 1931 – with people lolling on the beach, playing crazy golf or clustered on deckchairs around the bandstand – is among an exhibition of spectacular views of Britain from the air captured by the world's first commercial aerial photographers.A classic bank holiday Monday view of Hastings pier in May 1931 – with people lolling on the beach, playing crazy golf or clustered on deckchairs around the bandstand – is among an exhibition of spectacular views of Britain from the air captured by the world's first commercial aerial photographers.
The photographs are going on display at the RAF Museum in Hendon, north London – which now occupies the airstrip from which the pioneering cameramen first operated.The photographs are going on display at the RAF Museum in Hendon, north London – which now occupies the airstrip from which the pioneering cameramen first operated.
Like many of the scenes captured by the flying photographers, the Hastings view has changed beyond recognition: the listed pier, first opened in 1872, was left a scorched ruin by a fire in 2010, though local campaigners are determined to rebuild.Like many of the scenes captured by the flying photographers, the Hastings view has changed beyond recognition: the listed pier, first opened in 1872, was left a scorched ruin by a fire in 2010, though local campaigners are determined to rebuild.
Although postcards of the more picturesque aerial views were sold during the 80-year life of the Aerofilms company, founded in 1919, this is the first public exhibition and includes many previously unpublished prints from the collection.Although postcards of the more picturesque aerial views were sold during the 80-year life of the Aerofilms company, founded in 1919, this is the first public exhibition and includes many previously unpublished prints from the collection.
It will also feature some of the special cameras used, and a Swiss-built A5 Autograph machine, the first in England when imported by the firm in 1938, which enabled accurate measurements to be taken so aerial photographs could be turned into maps.It will also feature some of the special cameras used, and a Swiss-built A5 Autograph machine, the first in England when imported by the firm in 1938, which enabled accurate measurements to be taken so aerial photographs could be turned into maps.
The company was founded by first world war air aces Francis Wills and Claude Grahame-White, who used their wartime contacts to recruit pilots and obtain planes.The company was founded by first world war air aces Francis Wills and Claude Grahame-White, who used their wartime contacts to recruit pilots and obtain planes.
Over the next 80 years they recorded more than a million images of Britain's towns, shipyards, ancient monuments and rural areas – and events including the 1935 FA cup final at Wembley.Over the next 80 years they recorded more than a million images of Britain's towns, shipyards, ancient monuments and rural areas – and events including the 1935 FA cup final at Wembley.
They photographed the devastating aftermath of the 1953 floods when sea defences were breached all along England's east coast, and seawater surged up to two miles inland – leading to 307 deaths and 24,000 homes being destroyed or damaged.They photographed the devastating aftermath of the 1953 floods when sea defences were breached all along England's east coast, and seawater surged up to two miles inland – leading to 307 deaths and 24,000 homes being destroyed or damaged.
In the second world war, the company was requisitioned by the Air Ministry.In the second world war, the company was requisitioned by the Air Ministry.
Its pilots flew Spitfires to capture aerial images of territory behind enemy lines and technicians – working in the Central Interpretation Unit at RAF Medmenham in Buckinghamshire – made sense of what was captured on film.Its pilots flew Spitfires to capture aerial images of territory behind enemy lines and technicians – working in the Central Interpretation Unit at RAF Medmenham in Buckinghamshire – made sense of what was captured on film.
After the firm finally closed, the entire vast archive was acquired by English Heritage in 2007. It is gradually being digitised and placed online at the Britain from Above website, with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant. The site already hosts more than 95,000 images.After the firm finally closed, the entire vast archive was acquired by English Heritage in 2007. It is gradually being digitised and placed online at the Britain from Above website, with the help of a Heritage Lottery grant. The site already hosts more than 95,000 images.
Mike Evans, of English Heritage, who is co-curating the exhibition with Hendon, said: "The Aerofilms collection embodies all that is exciting about aerial photography.Mike Evans, of English Heritage, who is co-curating the exhibition with Hendon, said: "The Aerofilms collection embodies all that is exciting about aerial photography.
"Between 1919 and 1953, there was vast and rapid change to the social, architectural and industrial fabric of Britain, and Aerofilms provides a unique and at times unparalleled perspective on this upheaval.""Between 1919 and 1953, there was vast and rapid change to the social, architectural and industrial fabric of Britain, and Aerofilms provides a unique and at times unparalleled perspective on this upheaval."
The exhibition will run, free, from 20 February until 1 March. The exhibition will run, free, from 20 February 2014 until 1 March 2015.