Footage from the Royal Aeronautical Society Garden Party, White Waltham Aerodrome, 8 May 1949

The Garden Party held at White Waltham Aerodrome near Maidenhead on Sunday, 8 May 1949. This was held to mark the year in which the Society had been granted a Charter of Incorporation.
The emphasis of the day was on light aircraft and the displays featured aircraft from the previous 40 years, both statically and in the air. Around 5,000 members and their guests witnessed spirited displays by the Shuttleworth Trust’s Blériot XI, Deperdussin and Sopwith Pup, while more modern aircraft were represented by Cierva Skeeter and Sikorsky Hoverfly II helicopters. Also present were many Miles and de Havilland types.
The highlight of the day was the flight of a 12,000 cuft hydrogen balloon. Inflated by the Royal Air Force Balloon Unit from Cardington, with scant regard to modern-day Health and Safety considerations, and piloted by the well-known aeronaut Charles Dollfus. With the RAeS President, Dr Harold Roxbee Cox (later Lord Kings Norton) also on board, it ascended at 6pm travelling five miles across country before landing at Foliejon Park, Winkfield, 22 minutes later.
Among the music performed by the Fairey Aviation Works’ Band that afternoon was ‘March for the Flight of Mr Lunardi’s Air Balloon’ composed by Samuel Wesley around 1784, a copy of which had been found in the Library’s Hodgson-Cuthbert Collection.
The film was made by Mike Igglesden MRAeS, whilst he was a student member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.