Possible Apollo 11 UK home recording ?

[Neil Megson]

Found this on a message board for vintage TV equipment enthusiasts (I realise this is an old post from 2009) :

www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=46301

"In the Summer of 1969 I had an aquaintance who had access to what was supposed to be the only Sony 1/2" Stereo Reel to Reel video recorder in the country.

I managed to twist his arm to borrow it for a few days and recorded, at a friends house in the little village of Britwell Cum Sotwell just to the east of Wallingford, the first Moonwalk live as it happened.

I had to give the machine back a couple of days later so the tape has been dormant and unplayed in a cupboard or loft, during several house moves, for the last 40 years. I came across it again this weekend and wondered if any member has a suitable machine to play it and moreover be able to put it on a DVD if it is still any good. I haven't a clue how much was recorded but I do remember it was quite a good night!!

The Tape, a SONY V-31E is as new, boxed and still wrapped in polythene."

The thread finishes with advice to contact Kaleidoscope - does anyone know if this happened ? Has this recording been played back ?

[Rob Moss]

No idea whether the tape was ever sent to Kaleidoscope, although I suspect that if a transfer had been made, we'd have heard about it by now.

One thing worries me - the tape he claims to have found is "as new, boxed and still wrapped in polythene". Doesn't this rather suggest that it hasn't been used..?

[Neil Megson]

Dec 17, 2013 16:03:32 GMT Rob Moss said:

One thing worries me - the tape he claims to have found is "as new, boxed and still wrapped in polythene". Doesn't this rather suggest that it hasn't been used..?

I suppose it's possible that he bought one blank tape specially for the occasion, recorded it, and then gave the machine back - so the tape stayed unplayed. I'm assuming the polythene bag is inside the box, with the tape reel in it - 5" reel-to-reel audio tapes used to have a separate bag inside.

If no-one knows anything more about this, I might try joining the vintage-radio forum in the next few days and sending a PM. Or if anyone reading this is already a member there, please try a PM to the original poster, "Denis G4DWC".

[malcolmostlere]

Dec 17, 2013 16:03:32 GMT Rob Moss said:

No idea whether the tape was ever sent to Kaleidoscope, although I suspect that if a transfer had been made, we'd have heard about it by now.

One thing worries me - the tape he claims to have found is "as new, boxed and still wrapped in polythene". Doesn't this rather suggest that it hasn't been used..?

Well I have a box of Sony reel to reel video tapes of that era and yes the tapes came in a little polythene bag. So it is perfectly possible the tape was used, and then replaced in the bag and then placed in its case.

[Rob Moss]

Ah, good, thanks, Malcolm!

[Neil Megson]

Dec 17, 2013 16:27:55 GMT Neil Megson said:

If no-one knows anything more about this, I might try joining the vintage-radio forum in the next few days and sending a PM.

I'd forgotten that I actually am a member of that board ! PM sent to the original poster.

[Neil Megson]

Quick update - the original tape is still with its owner, unplayed since 1969. Kaleidoscope will be helping arrange a transfer to see if anything has survived the past 44 years.

[Deleted]

Well done, Neil. Keep us updated on this one. Let's hope your persistence pays off with something interesting!

[Rich Cornock]

Blimey fair play for tracking this down, i thought it might have been a dead end after the time that has gone by. Keep us posted on the outcome, i wonder if he has any other tapes?

[Neil Megson]

Latest update on this, from a friend who has been in touch with Kaleidoscope - the tape was playable, even after 45 years - but sadly it only contained existing footage of the moonwalk itself, and nothing of the missing BBC studio coverage :-(

Chris Perry arranged the transfer, so he may have some more to add, but as I understand it, this doesn't really count as a "find". :-(

[John Green]

Apr 24, 2014 11:38:39 GMT Neil Megson said:

Latest update on this, from a friend who has been in touch with Kaleidoscope - the tape was playable, even after 45 years - but sadly it only contained existing footage of the moonwalk itself, and nothing of the missing BBC studio coverage :-(

Chris Perry arranged the transfer, so he may have some more to add, but as I understand it, this doesn't really count as a "find". :-(

Shame.
Flaming good try,though.

[Rob Moss]

Pity - always worth following up these things though. Do we know whether there were any other tapes..?

[thomascanning]

Sorry to bump this thread but is there a list of exactly what does survive from the BBC Apollo 11 broadcasts (in visual and audio?) I remember seeing something once but can't find it again. Just with the 50th anniversary in 2019 I wonder if the BBC or Sky at Night might do a call out for people to search attics etc for any photos or recordings from the time (including any footage from the event) that people may still have.

[briancook]

Allni will say is a complete* set of audio reel to reel recordings for apollo 11,12 & 13, went through our local auction house in 2013 and didn't even raise a whimper.

(*5 in each set as i recall, bbc recordings)

[thomascanning]

Thanks. Interesting/disappointing to hear. I assume they sold rather than go as a no sale and potentially end up in the great old skip in the sky?