Astra Duxford restoration

Published

2022

Work is continuing at the Astra Duxford to return the Astra projection back into how it may have looked after the war.

A pair of Ross/RCA/Peerless machines have been installed and now the work has turned to the sound system. Since the equipment is used to show modern films as well as vintage a stereo sound system is required but the task is to hide it away so that at first glance the box looks period.

To this end Alex is replacing the modern Dolby rack with a new one hidden under the rewind bench. The pictures show the rack being dismantled and the old equipment being removed and awaiting the installation of the new rack. A period RCA will then stand where the Dolby rack previously stood.

Meanwhile it is also necessary to have a modern machine with an inverter so that silent films can be screened as well as modern Dolby Digital films. Consequently, at the far end of the projection room a Victoria 5 is installed for such occasions.

The machine that was in was one of a pair which will be used at a new performing arts college in Wakefield which the PPT are kitting out with 35mm facilities. So, the V5 has been replaced with an earlier one that had been restored in Halifax. As can be seen from the images the lamphouse in particular had to be completely stripped down and cleaned before reinstallation.

Work is progressing slowly so any help would be greatly appreciated please contact Alex Cooper if you are interested in helping with the project.