Over the Front - original aircraft footage (b&w, silent)

[robtimek]

Thank you for posting. An outstanding piece of history. Well done editing. Just love it and a favorite for sure.

[sgtkar98]

Is it me or the balloon crew is using parachutes?

[tspnyc]

I am under the impression that there is no real combat footage shot in the air, that the stuff that keeps showing up spliced with the real WWI stuff was all shot for films like Wings and Hells Angels, piloted by real WWI vets, but not shot during the actual war. If anyone can cite or link to definitive proof that the footage showing opposing aircraft in real combat, that would be very helpful.

[AustWarMemorial]

@tspnyc in Memorial’s collection there is no WW! aerial combat footage. Some aerial , non-combative film but none shot by fighter pilots or crew. IWM, RAF Museum, National Museum of the USAF also have brief ground-based footage and occasional aerial shots with the same limitations.

Bulky equipment, camera operators, small film mags & fixed lens systems placed very limits on possibilities. Training, non-operational flights and post-war movies appear to be the source of all the ‘action’ material.

[Felzinator]

Clear pictures. I recognize Billy Bishop in a group shot. He had 72 victories in WW I, and later became an air vice marshall in the Canadian Air Force in WW II. Suring WW I, he attacked a German air field alone. A stunning feat of bravery and skill.

Bill

[redbaron7123]

what incredible footage and amazing detail ! a great gift to posterity ! thank you ! :) anyone that does not enjoy this video should skip to the " girls with guns " videos and be done with it ! :) cheers !

[kgs42]

'Unknown' aircraft near beginning .... and briefly at the end ...... are, I think Martinsydes ..... fairly unsuccessful, I believe, big, possibly, single seaters, so interesting to see film of them. Thanks for the film ...... chilling to see planes going down in flames in conjunction with the parchute from the ballooon. That 17.5 hours survival could have been higher ...... though how much did parachutes weigh then? That might have been a factor against their use for aircrew,

[AustWarMemorial]

@safetychoice Our aim is to preserve and archive items in their original condition. This film has been preservation copied from the original (good quality) 35mm film via a telecine process, to a digital format with no digital editing.

[safetychoice]

Amazing quality. One rarely sees film this old so sharp and clear. Were these digitally edited or were they just well preserved?

[greendaylover12345]

The average life expectancy of a WWI pilot was 17.5 hours.

[kedrednael]

@greendaylover12345 flying time?

I don't think every avarage pilot would die the first day they flew.

[BluTransAmmer]

woderful footage. brave young men in the most romantic time for aviation. also bloody. one scout pilot had just shot down an enemy. he was covered in the blood of his foe. on the ground he said, 'it felt like victory." thanks for post!

[Godsinwar]

FAN-TÁS-TI-CO!!!

IN-CRÍ-VEL!!!

ES-PE-TA-CU-LAR!!!

Jamais imaginei que houvesse um documento como esse!!! Perfeito!!! Parabéns!!!!

[slessorpr]

First we see mostly the fast Bristol 2 Seaters which had a rear gunner, a sting in the tail of the 'Brisfits', the first successful fighter/bomber combo, a deadly aircraft when used correctly, then we see some unknown types (to me) followed by some SE5 fighters 1917-18 models. Anyone else recognise the types of aircraft this footage shows so well? Please do tell. The cheeky Albatros D5 landing near a 'kill' wd undoubtedly have been filmed by German ground crew.

[BeeryUSA]

Hmmm. Not sure why everything in the first half has to be shown at 6x normal speed.

[AustWarMemorial]

It seems to be running at the correct speed when I view it. It's possible a problem with the player or the connection. Sometimes if the connection has a bit of glitch the player can run faster to try to catch up.

There is also a chance it is just the way the footage looks. Back then the cameras were generally hand cranked which leads to speed variations in the film. When translated to modern film processing methods the speed fluctuations remain.

[MrPippify]

@AustWarMemorial I've seen films when the cameraman films a boxing fight and in the parts where there's alot of punching flying around the films goes almost twice the speed as the cameraman obviously is thrilled by the match and cranks faster than in the parts where the boxers circle and rest etc..

[desmo750f1]

@MrPippify If the cameraman cranks faster the film will appear slow motion when played back at normal speed.

[shockjok]

Awesome!