Historic Film Archive

Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide sample of some of the many hours of historic content contained in the Aviation Archive.

Film Archive Enquiries & Access

Footage is available for commercial licensing. Rates dependent on quantity, usage and clearances required.

For more information, or for specific footage enquiries, contact:

Ashley Morgan
Email: ashley@FASTarchive.co.uk
Tel: 0771 428 6110

About the Historic Film Archive

During the early 1900s, the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) was created at Farnborough and soon became one of the most successful aeronautical research organisations in the world. Some of the greatest advances in aviation technology emanated from its laboratories and workshops, and working alongside the scientists were expert photographers who filmed many of their extraordinary experiments.

FAST rescued much of this unique footage from imminent destruction as part of its commitment to preserving Britain’s aviation heritage.

The FAST film archive contains hundreds of hours of historic footage from the RAE, which spans several decades across most of the 20th Century, and chronicles the pioneering work of British scientists and aviators in the research and development of aviation.

FAST was recently awarded a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to preserve and digitise more of these historic films, including content from the research and development carried out at RAE Bedford and Boscombe Down. This will enable us to share more of this important heritage with the wider public. Thanks to National Lottery players for making this possible.  See Press Release for details>>

FAST archive footage has featured in numerous documentaries, films, adverts and DVDs produced by broadcasters and programme producers all over the world including the BBC, Channel 4, National Geographic, IWC Media, PBS America, Fremantle Media, Discovery Channel and the Smithsonian Channel to name just a few.

Some of the many highlights include:

Early deck trials
Ejection seats & underwater escape trials
Frank Whittle & the jet engine
Delta wing research & the development of Concorde
Military & commercial aircraft
Air crash investigation
Weapons & rockets
Unmanned aircraft
Experimental aircraft & test flying
Institute of Aviation Medicine, pilot & passenger safety & survivability
VSTOL trials & testing
Aircraft design & manufacture
Famous firsts in aviation
Test Pilots
In-cockpit
Wind tunnel trials
RAF, Royal Navy & the Army Air Corps
Air show displays

and much, much more! 

A small sample of the many programmes featuring footage from the FAST archive: