Conquest of the Air

Conquest of the Air is a 1936 documentary film or docudrama on the history of aviation, until the early stages of World War II.  The film features historical footage, and dramatic re-creations, of the developments of commercial and military aviation; including the early stages of technology developments in design, propulsion, and air navigation aids.  The film was a London Films production, commissioned by the Air Ministry of the British Government. 

Production background
The film was initially commissioned by Alexander Korda prior to the advent of World War II, and the Air Ministry saw the value in promoting Britain's contribution and leadership in aviation during this period.  Some notable footage is featured of the early phases of automated flight, navigational equipment, and the transitions between civil and military developments, including heavy bombers; fast fighter aircraft; and the advent of naval aviation (aircraft carrier), plus the initial experiments with vertical rotary flight (helicopters). 

An updated version was released in 1940 and released in the United States on 20 May 1940. 

See also
List of films in the public domain in the United States

References

External links

Category:British documentary films
Category:History of aviation
Category:British aviation films
Category:1936 films
Category:London Films films
Category:Air Ministry
Category:1936 in aviation
Category:1936 in military history
Category:1936 in the United Kingdom
Category:British films
Category:Films produced by Alexander Korda
Category:British black-and-white films
Category:Docudramas
Category:1936 documentary films
Category:1930s drama films
Category:British drama films