Title:RAF 132 SQUADRON AND 7155 ECHELON SAIL TO HONG KONG [Allocated Title]
Film Number:ABY 144
Other titles:ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: RAF 132 Squadron and 7155 Servicing Echelon arrive in Hong Kong onboard the Ruler-class escort carrier HMS Smiter.
Description: Members of RAF 132 Squadron and 7155 Servicing Echelon being inspected aboard HMS Smiter. A number of RAF Spitfire Mk XIVs are parked on deck. Spitfires are serviced on deck. On the hangar deck 'Beware of propellers' is painted in large letters. A Spitfire is raised onto the flight deck by an elevator. An airman climbs into the cockpit of a Spitfire named 'Anita'. Sailors are inspected on the hangar deck. Airmen lining the flight deck with various shots of the ship's bridge, bow, anchor etc. A moored battleship, probably the French Richelieu. A convoy of seven ships at sea in somewhat murky conditions. Airmen painting a jeep. Various scenes of aircraft servicing on deck. A physical training session on deck. A very muscular physical training instructor (PTI) demonstrates the gymnastic use of parallel bars. Mechanics at work on a Spitfire named 'Margaret'. A naval White Ensign seen through a spinning propeller. Deck games; waddling airmen race each other while holding a football between their knees and swinging a cane in a Charlie Chaplin-esque fashion. An RAF versus Navy boxing contest in progress; one pugilist is laid out on his back by two enormous right hooks. Spectators watching the contest and fighters being tended to in their corners. A number of British submarines seen sailing on the surface towards Hong Kong, possibly the S-class HMS Sleuth or HMS Solent. Men on deck as Smiter approaches Hong Kong. A variety of local watercraft (small rowing boats, sailing junks etc) close to the ship. View of Hong Kong harbour panning across a flight deck crowded with Spitfires. A US Navy Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer (a maritime patrol aircraft based on the B-24 Liberator) passes camera at low altitude.
Alternative Title:ROYAL AIR FORCE OPERATIONS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR [Allocated Series Title]
Production Details: Air Ministry, Directorate of Public Relations (Production sponsor)
Royal Air Force Film Production Unit (Production company)
Layzell, R G (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, 132 Squadron (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, 7155 Servicing Echelon (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, FENCER (HMS), escort carrier (regiment/service)
Royal Navy, SMITER (HMS) (regiment/service)
United States Navy (regiment/service)
Free French Navy, RICHELIEU (FFS) (regiment/service)
Keywords: Hong Kong (geography)
Liberation of Hong Kong 1945, Pacific War 1941-1945, Second World War (event)
Royal Air Force 1939-1945 (theme)
Far East 1939-1945 (theme)
Hong Kong 1945-1997 (theme)
ABY 169 (SPITFIRE SQUADRON AT KAI TAK AIRSTRIP [Allocated Title])
ABY 171 (REAR ADMIRAL HARCOURT VISITS RAF 132 SQUADRON [Allocated Title])
ABY 183 (A DAY PASS IN HONG KONG [Allocated Title])
