Summary: The rôle of MQAD - the Materials Quality Assurance Directorate.
Description: MQAD scientists in labs all over the country assess the suitability of all material likely to be used by the armed forces. They test materials (lab scenes), gather knowledge, check contractors etc. Aspects of their work illustrated, often using the Lynx helicopter as an example: tests on plastics, adhesives (Lynx), rubber, metals (Lynx), gases, paints (Lynx), fuel, lubricants (Lynx) and greases (Tornado). Textiles and propellants are also checked, as are all forms of munitions. As problems often arise after equipment has become operational, the MQAD also carries out defects analysis and check original specs when necessary. Packaging of spares is also an MQAD operation - central Packaging Unit at work. The work of their bio-deterioration scientists. Final scene of Lynx in operation is accompanied by a summary of MQAD's work, with a montage of footage of the laboratory scenes showing the Lynx being made ready.
Production Details: Ministry of Defence (Production sponsor)
Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
Pacesetter (Production company)
Hughes, Paddy (Production individual)
Angell, Robert (Production individual)
Hughes, Paddy (Production individual)
Howarth, Mike (Production individual)
Turp, David (Production individual)
Mitchell, Richard G (Production individual)
Runnicles, Dennis (Production individual)
Ellis, Robin (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Materials Quality Assurance Directorate (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Panavia Tornado (object name)
aircraft, British - helicopter: Westland Lynx (object name)
sciences, British - technology: [laboratory] (object name)
GB (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 804 ft; Running time: 22 mins
