ROYAL AIR FORCE : aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm and aircraft operating from shore bases [Main Title]

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  • Title: ROYAL AIR FORCE : aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm and aircraft operating from shore bases [Main Title]
  • Film Number: IWM 865
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: A survey of the methods of using aircraft with ships from the First World War to the middle 1920s.
  • Description: First, the seaplane carrier. A Short 184 seaplane is lifted from a seaplane carrier into the water and takes off. On return it is hoisted on board again. Then the launch from a capital ship. A Beardmore WBIII is taken out of the hold of a ship and launched from a short platform running down to the bows. A Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter is launched from the B Turret platform of a battle cruiser (three views, including one from the eyes of the ship). Then the true aircraft carrier. A Sopwith Snipe attempts a landing on HMS Furious, sideslips a great deal and comes to rest only half on the flight deck, finally tumbling off it into the sea. Another attempt at a landing is successful. A further development is the land based flying boat. Felixstowe (?) flying boat base is shown, with the flying boats at anchor. The next step is the Supermarine Seagull amphibian, which travels down to the water on its own wheels, takes off from the water, and retracts its wheels against its hull in flight. It lands in the water again and taxies out onto land. Another Seagull is shown taking off and landing at an aerodrome in conventional fashion. The Felixstowe F5 flying boat is the latest and largest in the series. It is shown being wheeled out of its hangar. An earlier F2A model is launched down the slipway and another F2A is seen taking off and landing. The final stage so far in the evolution of naval aircraft is the Blackburn Dart torpedo bomber, an extremely large single-seater. It is fitted with an 18-inch torpedo, takes off from its airfield and overflies the sea. It comes in to make its torpedo drop. The film ends abruptly at this point.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: IWM 865
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM (IWM 865)
  • Featured Period: 1919-1938
  • Production Date: 1925
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Gaumont (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy (regiment/service) Royal Navy, FURIOUS (HMS), light cruiser (regiment/service) Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - aircraft carrier, fleet: Furious (object name) aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Short 184 (object name) aircraft, British - combat: Beardmore WBIII (object name) aircraft, British - combat: Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter (object name) aircraft, British naval - combat: Sopwith Snipe (object name) aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Supermarine Seagull (object name) aircraft, British naval - combat: Blackburn Dart (object name) aircraft, British naval - seaplane: Felixstowe flying boat (object name) weapons, British naval - torpedo: 18-inch (object name) operations, British naval air - preparation (object name) operations, British naval air - sortie (object name) operations, British naval air - return (object name) 12/3(261.2) (event) GB, England & Felixstowe, Suffolk (?) (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: English Subtitle language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 1043 ft; Running time: 17 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    IWM 865

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