Title:SMOKE SCREENS LAID BY FERRET SCOUT CAR [Allocated Title]
Film Number:DED 267
Other titles:PORTON DOWN TRIALS NON-NITRATE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Records of trials in which a Ferret scout car travels at speed through open countryside laying a smokescreen. Nearly all the films are taken from a distance; the first four reels are ground shots, second four are aerial. The trials are held in the countryside around Porton Down.
Description: (Reel 1) 0-80 A. Distant view of developed screen in Battery Hill area. The Ferret, travelling at speed, can barely be seen: emphasis is on the ever-widening plume of white smoke. Extended shot shows the spread and dispersal of the smokescreen. Box identifies this as Run 2 "FM". (Reel is only 50 feet, not 90 as originally recorded.)
(Reel 2) 80-160 B. Very similar to previous reel. Distant shot shows how the smokescreen expands across a large area, although the full extent is difficult to see as the white smoke blends in with the sky. Box identifies this as Run 3 "No 28", (Reel is only 40 feet long.)
(Reel 3) 160-240 D. Continuation of laying of screen from moving vehicle; box identifies this as Run 1 "oil", but it is extremely similar to the previous reel. Again, the smoke plume is difficult to distinguish against the sky. Reel is 63 feet long. (NB There is no Reel C.)
(Reel 4) 240-290 E. Close up of smoke canisters burning by the side of the road in open countryside, emitting large amounts of smoke. Reel is only 26 feet long.
(Reel 5) 290-340 F. Aerial record of vehicle, travelling at speed, laying a smokescreen, showing the spread of the smoke plume over a wide area. (ca 40 ft)
(Reel 6) 340-440 G. Further aerial view of laying and development of screens; in this trial the smoke plume is thin, and rises and disperses quickly. (ca 100 ft)
(Reel 7) 440-540 H. Land Rover moving across range laying smoke canisters, each emitting separate plumes, which are blown away from the road by the wind. (ca 70 ft)
(Reel 8) 540-640 I. Further air to ground record of laying and screen development, once again using a Ferret (which can be seen more clearly than in previous films. Ferret travels along roads dispersing a (not very effective) plume of smoke. "Run 3". (ca 100 ft)
Alternative Title:PORTON DOWN TRIALS NON-NITRATE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:Colour
Digitised:
Object_Number:DED 267
Sound:Silent
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:
Production Date:1968-11-08
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Porton Down (Production company)
