Title:GRAND FLEET AIRCRAFT ROYAL AIR FORCE [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 638
Other titles:
Summary: Instructional film showing how an RAF Sopwith Camel can be launched from the light cruiser HMS Sydney, fly to land at Rosyth seaplane base, and re-join the ship on her return, September 1918.
Description: The Camel is mounted on a launch platform above the light cruiser's 'A' Turret. The crew makes ready for launch, removing the safety netting and holding wires. The plane's engine is turned over (very good view of the rotary engine), it builds up speed and launches directly over the turret, which is swung out to starboard. The Camel lands conventionally at an aerodrome not far from Rosyth after flying its mission. A Royal Navy groundcrew performs a quick check on the machine, then wheels it by a ramp onto a lorry. The Camel is then unbolted immediately behind the cockpit, and the two halves re-arranged one under the other on the lorry for easier transportation. The lorry arrives at the seaplane base where the aircraft is reassembled and checked over. It fails to satisfy the mechanics on a second check and another Camel is provided as a substitute. This is put on a lorry (which has a long tailboard specially designed to take the aircraft in one piece) and driven to South Arm, Rosyth. Here a crane transfers the plane to the lighter Guide Me which takes it out to the Sydney or a similar Chatham Class light cruiser. The ship's derrick takes the Camel on board and it is fitted back onto its launch platform.
Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, Sydney (regiment/service)
Royal Australian Navy, SYDNEY (HMAS), light cruiser (regiment/service)
Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Sopwith Camel (object name)
ships, British naval - cruiser: Sydney (object name)
ships, Australian naval - cruiser: Sydney (object name)
operations, British naval air - sortie (object name)
operations, British naval air - return (object name)
ships, British auxiliary - harbour: Guide Me (object name)
operations, British naval air - maintenance (object name)
31/3(41) (event)
GB, Scotland & Rosyth, Fife <seaplane base> (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 1190 ft; Running time: 20 mins
