The Extraordinary Mr Spitfire
(1 x 60, ITV1 and The History Channel)
Alex Henshaw was one of Britain’s greatest aviators. After making his name as an air-racing champion, he set long-distance records which have stood since the 1930’s. But he was turned down for military service after being told by a recruiting officer that airmen trained at private flying clubs did not have the discipline to serve in the armed forces. Henshaw became a civilian test pilot and went on to log more flying hours in Spitfires than anyone in the RAF. But he was lucky to survive. This acclaimed programme told his remarkable story.
People’s War — Wings and Prayers
(1 x 30 mins, BBC1)
Three teenagers go in search of history. Their school serves the huge Castle Bromwich Estate in Birmingham which was once the heart of the munitions industry. The youngsters set out to trace some of the 20,000 people who worked here in the 1940’s. The programme gave a remarkable insight into wartime life in Britain’s second city. The teenagers found their quest had posed a many questions as it had answered. Said 14-year-old Eugene Rouse: “I never realised how tough it was for the war workers. They went through a lot.”
Demob Happy
(1 x 60 mins, The History Channel)
This programme led The History Channel’s themed night of programmes to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Veterans recalled the return to peacetime but alongside many joyful memories there was sadness too. Sir Norman Wisdom and Tony Benn were among many ex-servicemen to tell their demob stories. The programme showed how the euphoria which swept Britain in 1945 would be short-lived. Many people felt their lives had lost a sense of purpose and the country plunged into a decade of austerity.
Flying Legends
(4 x 60 mins, Discovery Europe)
The series followed the Flying Legends air show at Duxford which is Europe’s premier display of historic aircraft. With up to seven cameras on the ground and remote minicams in the air we filmed some of the world’s rarest flying machines and spoke to the people who keep them in the air. Red Admiral has covered more than 30 air shows setting new standards in this specialist field. Our coverage of the Royal International Air Tattoo won a Royal Television Society award for ITV.
Live Deep
(15-minute promotional DVD)
Helen and Douglas House in Oxford is a hospice for children and young adults. The charity commissioned Red Admiral to make a short film to describe its work to families and health-care professionals. The result was Live Deep, presented by Ruby Wax, which takes its title from a quote by hospice founder Sister Frances Dominica. “It’s not the length of life that’s important, but the depth,” she says. Filming in the most sensitive circumstances we portrayed a warm and vibrant community where young people with a life-shortening condition can find friendship and support.
