1940s PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO U.S. NAVY FASRON-105 HOME MOVIE KODACHROME 44984

This brief yet fascinating silent home film, partially shot in Kodachrome color, was shot in and around NAS Trinidad, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. The film appears to be from the year 1949 and shows mainly the members of US Naval Squadron FASRON-105 aka Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 105. Much of the film shows jungle landscape, residential and urban shots as well as servicemen and their families during recreation time. The U.S. WWII war effort inevitably brought in an influx of US dollars, stirring the local economy.
The film opens with images of sunbathers along the stunning blue water coastline (:13). A Hillman Minx (1:19) appears. These were often used as staff cars during WWII. Service men and friends play relay games in a wide dirt lot (1:41). A large harvest of hay is drug in by donkey and cart (1:50). Two women play the three-legged race (2:15). Men and women strain against one another in a battle of tug of war (2:25). Luxury homes (2:59) preclude a baseball game (3:12). A 1946 Cadillac is pictured slid up against the curb (3:48). Youth splash in the water with air tubes (4:02). The camera flicks to the navy base (4:37). A cluster of Panamanians follow a young boy atop a cart led by donkey (4:51). A view from within a car driving along the road shows restaurants and shops along the way (5:23). A Standard Oil Company service station follows (6:05). A car cuts down a modern residential area (6:10). A Rototiller Farm Equipment delivery truck moves through the city past William H. Scott, Ltd. building, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago (7:00). Primitive merchant carts slink up against the side of the road (7:07). A pair of cyclists travel along a modern roadway (9:18). An advertisement for Coca Cola appears showing the influx of American industry (9:39). Men including an African American sailor play baseball (10:03). A small sign on a car bumper notes the name of the squadron stationed here, FASRON 105 aka Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 105 (10:40). Female counterparts give the game a try (11:08). The camera pans over the grounds of the base (11:29). A donkey and cart waddle across the street in stark contrast to the sleek modern automobiles (11:37). Oxen drag another small cart with a black goat in the foreground (12:04). The outside of the naval base follows (12:24). Sailors play horse shoe (13:08). It's believed that the part of the film after (13:23) shows a visit to Trinidad, as the J.T. Johnson Ltd. shopping center on Frederick Street in Port of Spain is visible in the images. A traffic cop signals traffic around a busy street corner (13:29) as a trolley car moves past (13:42). A vibrant parade blazes through the streets in feathered headdresses and bouncing snare drums (14:32).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com

[@normvandenhandel4462]

My dad was stationed there in the early 60’s. I have fond memories of living there. Wish I could find more pictures and film from that period.

[@williammarshall5865]

Thank you to whomever shared this gem! My parents were born in Trinidad in the 40's. All I have of their early childhood are a few black and white photographs, and having been born and raised in the US, I could never really connect with their experiences.
I'm honestly surprised at the level of development in the country at the time. Although my parents have both passed on, this helped me understand their world a little better. Thank you again

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Thanks for your comment, we appreciate it.

[@RFVisionary]

2024: 👍🏻 Film footage from 75 (!) years ago. That's about 3 generations. And even back then it was important and worth living for normal people to be able to relax in their free time (perhaps more than ever at that time!).
May politics all over the world be able to ensure peaceful ways of life in our own countries for us and our descendants. 🤔

[@R32R38]

The only Latvian colony in the Western Hemisphere.