The Bird Machine (1925)

Item title reads - “The Bird Machine“. Air Ministry officials and pilots see remarkable demonstration by the “Auto Gyro“ invented by Senor J. de la Cierva. Farnborough, Hampshire. M/S of the auto gyro which looks like a helicopter with propellors on the top and one on the front, various shots as the camera pans across it. One man climbs onto the body of the auto gyro and starts spinning the propellors with his hands. C/U of them spinning around. M/S as men pull a rope which spins the propellors further. M/S as it taxis and takes off into the air. L/S from underneath as it flies along. Intertitle - ’it can hover and land - almost like a bird.’ M/S of it hovering in the air, it approaches the ground and lands smoothly then stops. M/S of the pilot, Captain Courtney on the right and Senor J. de la Cierva on the left talking to another man. Intertitle - ’Captain T. Courtney, the famous test pilot and the inventor.’ C/U of Senor de la Cierva talking, the camera pans across to Captain Courtney wearing