Pfalz Factory Film

Machinbird · 17 December 2005, 11:39 AM

A few members have posted referencing a resource known as the "Pfalz Factory Film." Apparently this was a WWI documentary movie taken at the Pfalz factory documenting the steps in construction of an aircraft. Those who have seen it seem to believe it is a valuable resource for WW1 construction methods and a particularly valuable resource for anyone building a Pfalz replica. The subjective run time of the movie appears to be about 1 hour and 15 minutes, but I have heard enough variation in run time to wonder if perhaps there is more that one version of the film circulating.
Does anyone know where to obtain this film? I have heard stories of a company in Germany that leases copies of the film at an exhorbitant price with a restrictive agreement to prevent duplication.

This type of resource needs to be widely available. Any copyright should have expired by now.
I am posting this request for information under "Aircraft" in the hope that it will obtain better visibility on the Forum. Collectively we need to figure out how to make this resource easily available.

Logan · 17 December 2005, 11:50 AM

I think there is a copy at the Hugh Wynne Collection. Scroll to the bottom part of the web page and you will see a description of a few Pfalz films documenting the process of manufacture.

Fritz Kempf says they are $15 a copy. Check this thread for more info.

Machinbird · 17 December 2005, 01:11 PM

Thanks Logan

That should help tremendously.
Machinbird

Logan · 17 December 2005, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machinbird

Collectively we need to figure out how to make this resource easily available.

We could obtain this movie, and if there are no copyright or ownership issues, upload it to the Internet Archives for everyone to view. I don't know what type of format they will give it to you as, but I am a videographer and could easily digitize it.

However, I bet the University of Texas at Dallas has some sort of ownership somehow and would not allow this sort of thing without permission.

Taz · 17 December 2005, 02:22 PM

The piece of film you mention shows a Pfalz D.VIII being assembled with stop action photography and has been used in multiple WW-I documentaries. If my memory is correct, it was used in the widely available Four Years of Thunder. The VHF version of this set of 4 VHS tapes is being heavily discounted as preparations are made for a DVD version.

Taz
Terry Phillips

Cigogne · 17 December 2005, 11:12 PM

Actually, it is a Pfalz D.XII being assembled in stop action. It shows elsewhere in the film a Pfalz D.VIII being painted w/ stencils for the numbers and the national markings masked off. Also shows wickelrumpf skin technique being formed over forms.

AchimEngels · 18 December 2005, 02:49 AM

The copy of the movie I have seen does show the run of production in 1918 featuring all types in production at that time.

I know there is another copy around with semiliar but different sequences, but have not see that one yet. The one I have seen runs 58 Minutes. It is much more educative than any of the movies I have seen taken by Fokker at the Fokker plant, since it shows most of the working methods used in both, woodworking and metal work. Covering and painting is also well illustrated.

This movie will form the main base to make our Pfalz D.III and D.IIIa the actuial way they did back then.

The movie I talk about is not a "home video" as those made by Fokker himself at his plant, but rather more an official movie made by the German military Aviation Authorities. The footage at that time also was classified. The intention was to spreadthose movies around to share working methods among factories. Much like the way the "Technische Berichte" have been made and intented for. I have heard about the very same style of movies taken at other companies, but have not seen any of these yet.

For those interested in it should be mentioned that Peter Grosz´ and Ray Rimmels Datafile on the Pfalz D.XII shows shots of the aircraft production which actually have been taken from the original movies.

This was the movie that actually inspired me to create my own "Educational Movie" series. I copied the style by making them like silent motion movies with templates that describe the work done in the next sequence. Making these movies is pure fun and I think they are as educative as they are entertaining to look at.

Cheers!

Achim