RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 2) [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: RAF 42 SQUADRON IN ADEN (REEL 2) [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: MIL 503-2
  • 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. British personnel, wearing their uniforms and short trousers, walk around the streets of Aden, visiting a shop, a bar, and waiting on the waterfront for a passenger launch. Airfield at Khormaksar: Shackletons of 42 Squadron are powered up. Arab workers connect fuel line from bowser into nozzle on aircraft wing. (Roll ends at 94 ft - 'Foot Roll 16 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 14 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film.) II. Museum: exhibit of a houri (a traditional Aden fishing canoe). Street scenes in Aden; a group of goats gathers (one is seen standing on a car. Busy square. British personnel shopping (many of the shops have English sign boards) and walking down street. (Roll ends at 199 ft - 'Foot Roll 14 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) III. Aerial views of Aden and surrounding coastline, including ships at sea, oil storage installation. Street scenes: harbour views, Crescent Hotel. Ships and local boats in harbour. (Roll ends at 310 ft - 'Foot Roll 13 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) IV. Airfield views: crews walk on to airfield and carry out pre-flight checks on aircraft. De Havilland Venom aircraft of RAF 8 Squadron taxies and takes off. Second Venom is bombed up. Line of Venoms on airfield. Close-up of 8 Squadron crest with the motto "Uspiam et passim" ("Everywhere unbounded"). Refuelling shots. Aircraft takes off and lands again. (Roll ends at 423 ft - 'Foot Roll 12 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) V. Cricket match between aircrew and groundcrew. Aircraft maintenance and preparation, including close-ups of ammunition belt being secured in place. Tractor brings bomb trolleys onto the airfield for bombing up of Venom aircraft. (Roll ends at 535 ft - 'Foot Roll 11 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' and 'Head Roll 10 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) VI. Scenes in Aden: Crescent Hotel, gardens, streets. British vehicles drive through the town, including a truck carrying tam o'shantered Scottish soldiers (most likely the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, who were stationed in Aden in 1957). Scottish soldiers walk through town, and are seen outside the Police Station. Beach scenes. Cricket match. (Roll ends at 647 ft - 'Foot Roll 10 "42 Squadron" Air Ministry' written on film. Several feet of blank footage.) VII. AIr to air shots of 42 Squadron Shackleton aircraft; RAF Khormaksar can be seen below. Oil storage installation is passed - one of the holders has the company name "Caltex" written on it. View from window as the camera-aircraft comes in to land. Sign "Royal Air Force Khormaksar".
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: MIL 503-2
  • 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: 742 ft ; Running time: mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    MIL 503-2

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