THIS IS YOUR ROYAL AIR FORCE NOW [Main Title]

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  • Title: THIS IS YOUR ROYAL AIR FORCE NOW [Main Title]
  • Film Number: TV 200
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Recording of a live BBC broadcast in which footage from various RAF stations is linked by discussion between Raymond Baxter and Air Chief Marshal Sir Dermot Boyle, then Chief of the Air Staff.
  • Description: I. Subjects covered include the prevention of nuclear war through deterrence, the effectiveness of air defences against bombers and the possibility that manned fighter aircraft could be entirely replaced by unmanned guided weapons. Two Javelin fighters are scrambled from RAF Odiham to intercept a Valiant bomber off the east coast as a demonstration, shown through a live picture from one of the aircraft. A formation of 111 Squadron Hawker Hunters give an aerobatic display, the prototype P1 fighter, which became the Lightning, appears briefly and a Gloster Meteor fighter engages a radio-controlled Fairey Firefly with a Fireflash missile. The effects of G-force on the human body are demonstrated in the centrifuge at the Institute of Air Medicine at Farnborough, and in a separate experiment a test subject is exposed to extreme environmental conditions, wearing an air-ventilated suit. The pilot of a 214 Squadron Valiant bomber at RAF Marham explains features of his aircraft, the composition of the crew and servicing and maintenance, pointing out various pieces of ground equipment around a Valiant on the flightline. Vulcan and Victor bombers appear in air-to-air footage, and Air Chief Marshal Boyle explains the principle of standoff weapons, soon to be introduced into service. II. Two Blackburn Beverley transport aircraft take off from RAF Marham for the RAF College Cranwell, and the role of Transport Command in moving Army and RAF equipment and VIPs, particularly the Queen and the Prime Minister, is discussed. A Comet and a Hastings are also seen taking off. An Avro Shackleton of Coastal Command carries out an anti-submarine warfare exercise off the coast of Anglesey, dropping sonobuoys, torpedoes and depth charges, and an air-sea rescue exercise then takes place, involving RAF rescue boats and a Whirlwind helicopter. Air Chief Marshall Boyle gives his views on the possibility of defence cuts and the RAF's future manning requirements, including comments on training and career paths. At the RAF College Cranwell the College's commanding officer adds his views and a cadet is shown in a briefing before a training flight. A team of instructors give an aerobatic display in De Havilland Venoms, and the Beverleys from RAF Marham then arrive, one landing and the other dropping men and equipment by parachute. Air Chief Marshal Boyle, with the aid of a map of north-west Europe, explains the role of the RAF in NATO, and illustrates his points with film of an exercise. In this a Supermarine Swift reconnaissance aircraft takes photos of an enemy rocket launching site, which are analysed before an attack by Hunter, Venom, Thunderstreak and Canberra aircraft.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: TV 200
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: NON-IWM
  • Featured Period:
  • Production Date: 1957
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: BBC (Production company) Baxter, Raymond Frederic1922-01-252006-09-15Family origin: England, GB (Production cast)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations:
  • Keywords:
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 2 Footage: 2603 ft; Running time: 72 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    TV 200

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