RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 3) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 3) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: MIL 503-3
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: Informal silent footage showing activities of RAF 42 Squadron during their posting at RAF Khormaksar in Aden, including a reprisal bombing raid against rebellious Arab tribesmen. (Note that these do not appear to be in chronological order.)
  • Description: I. Racing event (on makeshift track, constructed to the east of RAF Khormaksar), filmed from high elevation: horse races and a camel race are shown. Bugler from the Aden Protectorate Levies plays. Airmen stand outside local club (note sign "Alcohol and Dogs Strictly Prohibited"). Caption written in sand: "Elephant Bay Swimming Club". British personnel relax at the swimming club; view of beach at Elephant Bay. (Several feet of blank footage.) II. Shackleton marked "E" of 42 Squadron prepares for take off (there is a brief view of a Norman-style church). Scenes at RAF Station Luqa, Malta. Views on board Shackleton (return flight?) including airfield at Luqa below. Shackleton on ground (Khormaksar ?). Further on board shots, including cockpit: navigator plots course. ('Roll 1' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) III. Open bomb bay (of Shackleton) showing bombs mounted. Aerial views over landscape of the Western Aden Protectorate as bombs are dropped; explosions visible on ground. (This is the raid on Danaba - see below.) Views from inside the bomb bays as the bombs detach. Pilot eats sandwich in cockpit. ('Head Roll 15' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) IV. Preparations for bombing raid on the village of Danaba: pilots gather for a briefing prior to the raid. Sign "Ad Dhanaba 11-2-57" followed by details of the bombing run. "Target consists of about 15 stone buildings. Target Elevation 4150'. Bomb load 25x500lb. Stick length 100ft (2 sticks per a/c). Bombing ht 5000ft (altitude 9150ft). Attack heading 340' (T). TOT [time on target] 1000 C (first 2 a/c)." Map showing the flightplan, labelled "Piccadilly", with "Ab Dhalia" (Dhala) and "Ad Dhanaba" (Danaba). Maintenance of aircraft undercarriage, aircraft jacked up; black personnel assisting. Venom is towed and refuelled from a bowser; Sikh soldier takes part. ('Foot Roll 15' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) V. Maintenance of roof of Shackleton: aerials and control wires are put in place. Air-to-air scenes of Shackleton in flight from various angles. British personnel (male and female) relax in swimming pool. ('Foot Roll 16 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 17 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) VI. Further shots of the swimming pool; people dive and swim backstroke. Water polo match. ('Foot Roll 17 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 18 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) VII. Trackside shots of horse races, May 1957. Band of the Aden Protectorate Levies plays. Views of stable area. Horses are led to paddock by black grooms. Vigorous horse race: one rider falls off his horse. Saddle also falls and is picked up by one of the staff. Crowd of local people watches. Camel race. Poster for "Khormaksar Races: The Final Meeting of the Season Saturday 4th May 1957". ('Foot Roll 18 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 19 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) VIII. Shackletons of 42 Squadron marked "D" and "H" on airfield. Blackburn Beverley of RAF Transport Command is loaded with various items ranging from chairs and jerricans through to coils of barbed wire. ('Foot Roll 19 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 20 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) IX. Further scenes of the Beverley being loaded. At a makeshift "bar" on the airfield, RAF personnel are served with bottles of Coca Cola. The Beverley powers up its engines, taxies and takes off; a second Beverley can be seen on the apron. Vehicles at airfield. Bare-chested personnel relax. ('Foot Roll 20 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 21 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) X. In a valley, soldiers (Levies) gather by a small aircraft (Percival Pembroke WV741), from which items are unloaded. A flare is lit on the ground and an aircraft comes in to land (it is the Pembroke, on a second run). Further items are unloaded, and placed in the back of a truck. Brief views of landscape. ('Foot Roll 21 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 22 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) XII. Sign "Ad Dhanuba" and mission details - this is the same information as seen in item IV. Further shots of briefing.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: MIL 503-3
  • 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, 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: 1500 ft (ca); Running time: 45 mins (ca)
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    MIL 503-3

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