RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 1) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 1) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: MIL 503-1
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Informal silent footage showing activities of RAF 42 Squadron during their posting at RAF Khormaksar in Aden in the period before the Aden Emergency.
  • Description: I. Cockpit interior shots on board Avro Shackleton of 42 Squadron, showing members of the aircrew from various angles, and shots of the control panel. Pilot updates flight log. Crewman looks out of porthole. (Roll ends at 70 ft - 'Head Roll 57 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) II. RAF official sat at desk filling in paperwork. On runway, Shackleton marked "E" of 42 Squadron taxies and is seen in flight overhead. Shackleton on ground; maintenance is carried out on engines and wings. (Roll ends at 182 ft - 'Foot Roll 57 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film, followed by several feet of blank film.) III. Brief shot of crewmen asleep in their beds. Cockpit shots in Shackleton in flight: also views of wing and engine, and of mountainous landscape below. Ground shots: turbanned local men help to unload supplies from Royal Air Force Transport Command Blackburn Beverley aircraft (84 Squadron). Local boys pose for the camera; one holds an egg. Rear doors of the Beverley aircraft close. (Roll ends at 293 ft - 'Foot Roll 58 Televentures' and 'Head Roll 59 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) IV. Cockpit shots in Shackleton; observer smokes a cigarette. Underside doors are winched open and boat (?) is lowered. Groundcrew at work; general views of the airfield. Panel is replaced on engine exhaust during maintenance. Local boy brings boxes of food to the groundcrew. (Roll ends at 410 ft - 'Foot Roll 59 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 8 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) V. Various views of Shackletons taxiing at RAF Khormaksar. Air-to-air shots of Shackleton in flight, and of landscape below. (Roll ends at 524 ft - 'Foot Roll 8 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) VI. Scenes in the hills around Aden: gun positions overlooking valley. Convoy of vehicles including armoured cars, Land Rovers and trucks carrying troops drive through valley. Shackleton flies over head. Convoy comes to a halt. Khormaksar: routine activities of Shackleton crews (aircraft marked D, B and C are seen). Crewman looks at map. (Roll ends at 637 ft - 'Foot Roll 7 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 6 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) VII. Football match at the edge of the airfield. Crewmen swimming and fooling around in the water at Aden. Further shots of soldiers in valley (see previous roll); mortar position is set up. Turbanned troops (Aden Protectorate Levies ?) drive up in trucks. Vehicles negotiate a stony track with some difficulty. Guns are set up overlooking the valley. (Roll ends at 749 ft - 'Foot Roll 6 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) VIII. Shackleton (marked "C") taxies to a halt; chocks are placed under the wheels and the engines are switched off. Aircrew deplanes. Members of the squad relax. (Flaring on film obscures image.) Brief shot of mountain road. Children playing in school yard: "Apostolatus Maris" crest on the gatepost. (This is a Stella Maris Centre run by Catholic organisation The Apostleship of the Sea). Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi, Aden. (Roll ends at 845 ft - 'Foot Roll 5 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) IX. RAF Khormaksar: Shackleton of 42 Squadron takes off. Two RAF Venom fighters land (8 Squadron). Helicopter flies in the distance; other aircraft seen (film at this point is heavily scratched.)
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: MIL 503-1
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1946-1975
  • Production Date: 1957
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Air Ministry (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, 42 Squadron (regiment/service) Royal Air Force, 84 Squadron (regiment/service) Royal Air Force, 8 Squadron (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: Khormaksar, Aden (geography) Royal Air Force 1945-2000 (theme)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 971 ft ; Running time: mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    MIL 503-1

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