Summary: A dramatised story demonstrates the importance of map-reading as the fundamental 'aid' in aircraft navigation.
Description: A Stirling bomber participates in a raid flying from an East Anglian airfield ("Prangmere") to Duisburg. On the outward flight the Navigator uses the observation by the pilot and air bomber of prominent landmarks (towns, canals, rivers, coastline etc) to confirm his planned course. Over the target a near miss flak-burst knocks out the wireless and much navigational equipment; the return flight, therefore, is navigated entirely on the basis of the air-bomber's reports of occasional glimpses of the ground through cloud from his position in the aircraft's nose, interpreted by the Navigator, but the plane returns safely. Back at base, the Navigator uses a map to explain how it was done, and to convince a comrade who had earlier been sceptical of the value of map reading.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:UKY 553
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Royal Air Force Film Production Unit (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force (regiment/service)
Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Short Stirling (object name)
equipment, British air - navigational: map (object name)
operations, British air - sortie (object name)
GB (geography)
Instruction (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 2000 ft; Running time: 22 mins
