It’s in the Air

With sirens wailing in the background, loudspeakers on top of a car announce imminent start of a joint ARP and RAF air raid exercise. A matted studio shot to open the film.

The film’s Brokey Row where George Brown returns to his sister Anne’s house after being rejected as an Air Raid Warden. Audley Road at the junction with The Ridings in Ealing W5.

The same same scene 81 years later, captured by Antony Blair who notes that only a couple of the trees lining the road have survived.

On leave from the RAF, Courier Bob Bullock arrives on his motorcycle combination to see his fiancé Anne before setting off to Cornwall to visit his parents. Audley Road on the Haymills Estate. Other views of the estate appear in 'The Bailiffs' and 'Laburnum Grove'.

Antony took this view outside 28 Audley Road, looking eastward.

When Bob leaves behind an important letter, Anne’s brother George dons his pal’s RAF uniform and sets off to deliver it to Sir Philip Bargrave. Inside the gates at Aldenham Lodge on Aldenham Road near Radlett in Hertfordshire.

After knocking over the Groundsman, George brings the combination to an unsteady halt outside Bargrave Manor before entering the house. The 15th Century Aldenham House in Hertfordshire.

Geoff Dodd updates the scene showing designated parking and building work. (RL)

Mistaken for a dispatch rider, George is ordered to take Commanding Officer Hill to Glenbridge Aerodrome. Aldenham House is featured in 'Master Spy', 'Crimes at the Dark House', ‘Kill or Cure’, ‘Village of the Damned’ and ‘The Invasion Quartet’.

Again with thanks to Geoff. (RL)

When George says that he doesn't know the way, the Commanding Officer begins to give directions. Now The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Aldenham House and grounds was a country club until the Second World War when it was requisitioned for use as an overseas broadcasting station.

No apparent parking bay for motorcycles in this shot from Geoff. (RL)

The shot follows George as he rides from Bargrave Manor. The Grade II* listed Aldenham House on Aldenham Road near Elstree in Hertfordshire.

Geoff shows that double yellow lines even find themselves on to private land. (RL)

Not knowing his left from right, George almost steers the wrong way when they reach the main road. Facing Aldenham Lodge opposite Dagger Lane on Aldenham Road in Hertfordshire. The lodge makes an appearance in 'Bottoms Up!', ‘Quatermass 2’, 'Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective' and ‘Kill or Cure’.

An excellent match as Antony Blair captures the location as it looks now.

Looking along Aldenham Road in the direction of Letchmore Heath from the junction with Dagger Lane.

Facing north on the same stretch of road taken by Antony.

While continually heading off in the wrong direction, cars, farm vehicles and traction engines are narrowly avoided along country lanes.

A marching column of men parts as George successfully delivers his passenger to fictional Glenbridge Aerodrome.

Caught up in the routine of the base, George shouts to Peggy (Polly Ward) as she walks towards the path of a machine gun's fife. The London Air Park in Feltham, Middlesex which is confirmed by Cris Lancaster who's father and uncle both learnt to fly there and watched the scene being shot. The spire of St. George’s church, Hanworth rises in the right distance and the plane on the left was owned by Flying Training Ltd of Feltham.

The Sergeant Major (Julien Mitchell) drills his new recruits. The building is a set constructed at Ealing Studios, Ealing Green in London W5.

George Brown (George Formby) joins the parade before pointing out that the Sergeant Major has torn his trousers. Moving right from the previous image, the arrangement of the pipework to the centre top place this as the dressing room block to the south of Stage 2 at Ealing Studios.

Airmen practice for the arrival of Sir Philip the next day as George is told to wait for letters to carry back to headquarters.

From a reverse point of view, this is looking towards the gateway of the aerodrome.

Planes are wheeled out of their hangars as George and the rest of the men are briefed on the forthcoming flight. Paul Atkinson tells us that this was RAF Debden, Essex, now Carver Barracks and that pilot named Dickie Lee was asked and did fly through one of the hangars at Debden for this film. Unfortunately on seeing it the RAF would not let them use shot in film as it might encourage other pilots to do the same! Which is why in film it's obviously models. An interesting feature on "Dickie Lee" can be read at http://intotheswarm.blogspot.com/2011/11/dickie-lee.html. (RL)

A plane flies overhead as Peggy tells George that his pal Bob Bullock has turned up at the aerodrome. London Air Park in Feltham with properties on Hounslow Road crossing the background.

Corporal Craig (Jack Hobbs) prevents a nasty accident as George struggles with a bomb.

Sir Philip Bargrave arrives at the aerodrome to inspect a new aircraft before George is mistaken for a pilot and takes to the air.

Airmen dive for safety as George flies low over the airfield in the new plane. The matted shot is split at the line between the two floors of the right hand white building that continues across the hangar doors.

George continues to cause mayhem as he swoops and dives over Glenbridge.

Emergency crews are scrambled as George is instructed on how to land the aircraft.