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Description: I. The Meteorological Office and plotting room, close-ups of signs, a WAAF telephonist. The plotting board shows the Isle of Wight area - Mosquitos visible through window. NCO sitting at desk; he finishes some reports and leaves (Flight offices, 'A' Flight), walks past a Mosquito and mechanics at work on engines, talks to the pilot of a Mosquito 'Flying Boat' while ground crew and armourers check aircraft. Night shots - pilot and navigator board 'Flying Boat' start engines, taxi and take off. Interior shots - pilot wakes up, throws boot to wake up navigator. Night shots of flare path etc.
II. Two WAAFs at plotting board; a Met Officer prepares his map, walks out onto airfield. A pilot gets into bed after drawing curtains. A mechanic leaves Mosquito cockpit, revealing 'Flying Boat' insignia on door. Two WAAFs take theodolite readings. Anemometer etc. Close-ups (various angles) of pilot and navigator in cockpit. Met Officer leaving office, passing hangar, arriving at dispersal hut. Daylight shots of Mosquito taxiing (some through camouflage netting): night shots of take-off.
III. Met Officer passes a line of Mosquitos, his map under his arm. An airman adds a swastika to the score on the fuselage of 'Flying Boat'. The Met Officer briefs a group of pilots. Wing Commander telephoning, then talks to pilots. An ambulance and its attendant. WAAF waitresses lay a table; a Flying Control Officer waiting, lights cigarette; a square radar scanner revolving ("hidden... in Normandy", according to Progress Report sheet). Pilot and navigator strap themselves into cockpit. Night shots - taxiing, take-off, flare path etc.
Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production company)
Maiden, Cecil (Production individual)
Ziller (Sergeant) (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, Sqdn 604 (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Meteorological Office (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force, Women's Auxiliary Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: De Havilland Mosquito (object name)
communications, British air - wire: telephone (object name)
equipment, British air - navigational: anemometer (object name)
equipment, British air - navigational: theodolite (object name)
equipment, British air - surveillance: radar (object name)
intelligence, military, British - briefing (object name)
intelligence, military, British - briefing (object name)
operations, British air - routine (object name)
sciences, British - earth: meteorology (object name)
GB, England & Colerne, Wilts <RAF Station> (geography)
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2221 ft; Running time: 23 mins
HD Media:
Notes: Remarks: radar screen footage particularly well filmed. Dopesheet identifies unit as No 604 Squadron
Technical: second print of ACB 75/2 is 60 ft shorter than the first (less take-off footage); print of ACB 75/3 includes a little duplicate footage from 75/2.
