The North East Film Archive is one of a network of regional film archives established to collect, preserve and show film made in, or about the North East of England. Our collections are non-fiction, and date from the early 1900s to the present day, providing a rich record of life in the region over the 20th century. Many of our films are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
V.T.O.L
Jet set thrills at a 1969 Royal Air Force Exhibition on the Town Moor in Newcastle.
From the collection of:
Overview
The RAF have flown in to Newcastle. Crowds on the Town Moor enjoy gymnastics, motorcycle and aerial displays but the true star of this formidable exhibition is a revolutionary and slightly ominous Harrier Jump Jet. The filmmaker’s husband was a military man with honorary guest status, which explains her extraordinary access to the military hardware. Her son looks scarily at home with anti-aircraft guns and minesweepers in this pre-video games era.
This film was produced by the Middlesbrough-based amateur camerawoman Betty Cook, who was also the President of the Cleveland Cine Club and the North East Cine Society. She filmed many events in the north east region from the 1960s through to the 1980s.
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