Title:AMPHIBIOUS EXPERIMENTAL ESTABLISHMENT LARC 5-507 AXE TRIALS DEC 64 - JAN 65 (16MM 16FPS): OPERATING TRIAL WITH LCT(8) IN SEAWAY, OPERATING TRIAL WITH LCT(8) BERTHED, STABILITY (CONEX CONTAINER), TROOP TRIALS, TOWING LARC/LARC [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFM 531
Other titles:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: LARC V amphibious truck (US Army, designated (LARC-V-507) is tested in and around the Amphibious Experimental Establishment (AXE) at instow.
Description: The LARC (a very high vehicle out of the water) is driven along streets at the edge of a village (Instow ?) as local people watch; it also seen along country roads (filmed from second vehicle).
Driving along wide beach (Saunton Sands?) with DUKW following.
A ramp is dug in a sand dune and the LARC (accompanied by DUKWs) ascends onto the dunes, where it moves across the hilly terrain and carrying out various driving manoeuvres (on one occasion gets stuck).
LARC, fully laden, drives across mud flats in the River Taw estuary; it becomes stuck and has to be winched out by accompanying DUKW.
LARC out in the waters of the estuary, with a Conex container as a load.
LARC in a troop-carrying role at AXE; around thirty troops stand in the open compartment of the truck. River tests with soldiers on board, in the water and on the beach. The LARC sinks in the wet sand as the crew climb out.
LARC in the surf, driving towards land.
At AXE, a plate is removed from the floor of the open rear compartment and a sapper climbs inside to carry out maintenance; this is followed by shots on a public road in the country (cars are dwarfed by the tall LARC).
DUKWs on sand accompanied by LARC, mobile crane and tractor.
Alternative Title:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]