Summary: Account of a routine training exercise by the RAF, flying a Valiant bomber non-stop from England to South Africa.
Description: (Reel 1) Briefing room. The crew are introduced: Wing Commander Craig (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Wood (co-pilot), Flight Lieutenant Ford (F/L Nav Plotter), Flight Lieutenant Mitchell (F/L Nav Radar) and Flying Officer Drew (Air Electronics Officer). Met Officer gives forecast and the mission - a 6000-mile non-stop flight to Cape Town - is explained. The Valiant (XD182) taxies along the runway prior to take-off. Inside, crew run through preflight checks etc. In flight: shots of horizon. Fuel check. In Kano, Africa, a second Valiant (XD186, a tanker aircraft) is prepared; it takes off. (Reel 2) Preparation for in-flight fuelling. The two aircraft approach; tanker lowers fuel line. Connection is successful on second attempt, the planes refuel (with only a slight hitch with a refuelling light) and the tanker withdraws. Cape Town, South Africa: Squadron Leader Bourne goes to the airport ready to greet the incoming Valiant. The mission's progress is checked in the ops room back in England. The aircraft, 100 miles from destination, commences descent. Cape Town Control gives the go-ahead: "you're clear to land, man." The Valiant lands, mission over.
Production Details: Air Ministry (Production sponsor)
Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
World Wide Pictures (Production company)
Edgar, Hindle (Production individual)
Cass, Henry (Production individual)
Ewart, Neil (Production individual)
Allen, James1924-01-03 (Production individual)
Gilpin, Peter (Production individual)
Gurney, Dennis (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Craig (Wing Commander) (person)
Wood (Flight Lieutenant) (person)
Ford (Flight Lieutenant) (person)
Mitchell (Flight Lieutenant) (person)
Drew (Flying Officer) (person)
Bourne (Squadron Leader) (person)
Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Vickers Valiant (object name)
operations, British air - preparation (object name)
operations, British air - routine (object name)
training, British air: long distance training flight (object name)
command and control, British air (object name)
GB, England (geography)
Nigeria & Kano (geography)
South Africa & Cape Town (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1999 ft; Running time: 23 mins
