Title:DEMONSTRATION OF DROP TANK TYPE INCENTIARY BOMBS AT BOSCOMBE DOWN AND PORTON RANGES 15 DECEMBER 1944 [Main Title]
Film Number:BFM 581
Other titles:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: A secret film "made by the for the Directorate of Armament Development by MAP Film Unit" demonstrating the use of aircraft drop tanks as incendiary bombs.
Description: A lengthy caption explains the beckground. "This film is a demonstration which was given to familiarise people with the use of the drop tank type of incendiary bomb. This type of weapon has been used by the Americans with some success. Most of the British overload tanks for fighter aircraft are unsuitable for use in this role owing to their small capacity (45 gallons compared with 90 to 165 gallons in the USA overload tanks). This demonstration was staged to show the various types of tank available for use from British aircraft at this date and to show some of the snags connected with their use."
Bombs are prepared at an airstrip (Boscombe Down ?): drop tanks are fitted to aircraft and filled up from oil drums using an electric pump, and also topped up manually from jerrycans. A large number of uniformed senior RAF officers are in attendance. Individual captioned tests are then shown; the results are spectacular.
"Typhoon carrying 45 gallon overload tank". On the bombing run, a Hawker Typhoon drops two tanks, which explode into flame and smoke on contact with the ground.
"Typhoon aircraft with two 1000lb incendiary bombs". The aircraft flies in and drops the tanks: the explosion is massive, with much flame and smoke. The aftermath also results in a huge smoke ring in the sky.
"Thunderbolt carrying 750lb incendiary bomb Mark 1." Reublic P-47 Thunderbolt flies overhead: the detonation of the bombs causes a mushroom cloud of flame and smoke. Second run is also seen.
"Two incendiary bombs on Mosquito aircraft". The De Havilland Mosquito drops its two bombs, which explode in a welter of flame which spreads over a large area.
Alternative Title:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:
Object_Number:BFM 581
Sound:Silent
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:
Production Date:1944
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Directorate of Armament Development (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Aircraft Production Film Unit (Production company)
Foss, H (Production individual)
