Title:TRIALS OF ROCKET-FIRED VINNECOMBE ANCHORS, CROW POINT, AUGUST 1968 [Allocated Title]
Film Number:BFM 544
Other titles:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Trial by the Military Engineering Experimental Establishment of rocket firing of Vinnecombe anchors from specially adapted FV437, Alvis Stalwart and beach armoured recovery (BARV) vehicles. Each trial is preceded by a cameraman's slate.
Description: "21-8-68 Trial Recovery Run I Rocket Anchors Crow Point". Vehicle (FV437?) fires a rocket powered anchor with cable attached. Unexploded rockets are removed from the anchor after it has landed (in the sand) and a thumbs-up signal is given. The anchor is dragged. A technician tries to ensure that the anchor's barbs sink into the sand.
"21-8-68 Run II Rocket Anchors". An Alvis Stalwart, stuck in mud, is attached to an anchor and is able to winch itself out.
"22-8-68 Recovery Run I [?] Rocket Anchors". Anchor is fired from modified BARV which attempts to winch it back. Second anchor is fired; Alvis Stalwart drives through the mud to retrieve it but sinks in deeply and has to be winched out by a recovery lorry. BARV with anchor in the water; it drives out and another anchor is fired, falling in the wet mud, where it is dragged. Furrow appears in the wet sand as the anchor is dragged.
"22-8-68 Recovery Run II". Stalwart drives into the water (several takes).
Alternative Title:AMPHIBIOUS TRIALS AND TRAINING UNIT, ROYAL MARINES [Allocated Series Title]
