This Super 8 reel opens with a two-aircraft aerobatic display by Vixen Two. The team was led by Marcus Edwards, identified by his son Mike Edwards after he came across this footage on the archive. Marcus had earlier led the four-aircraft Rothmans Aerobatic Team. When that sponsorship ended, he and fellow pilot John Maclean carried on as the smaller two-plane Vixen Two. Little footage survives from this later period, which makes this a rare record of the team in action. Marcus counted Newtownards among his favourite shows, recalling the warm reception the team received there.

The reel then turns to seventy-year-old Wing Commander Ken Wallis, flying an autogyro of his own design. The same type of aircraft adapted for use as "Little Nellie" in the James Bond film You Only Live Twice (1967). 

From the Fred Cooper film collection. Fred Cooper has filmed an extensive collection featuring trains, cars, bikes and planes.A talented cine film cameraman who is still taking an active interest in film.

 Ken Wallis was a veteran RAF pilot and inventor. He created the autogyro in 1962.

Filmaker: Fred Cooper

Thanks to Mike Edwards MBE for contextual information regarding this film. 

• RMC Media Partnership