A STATIC AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM IN OPERATION [Main Title]
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- Title: A STATIC AIR DEFENCE SYSTEM IN OPERATION [Main Title]
- Film Number: AMY 364
- Other titles:
- Summary: Detailed instructional film covering how a static air defence system operates, as used by the Royal Air Force in Great Britain in the 1950s.
- Description: Reel 1: “With particular reference to CONTROL and REPORTING. In this film Great Britain is represented as “The Defended Area” as it possesses a typical Static Air Defence System. Operational conditions in time of war are assumed throughout. The ground defences have not been represented in view of the far reaching changes that were being made at the time this film was produced. Part One - Introduction” - shot overlooking sea from a from cliff top - view down from low flying aircraft – view of town/city (Sheffield) streets – sound of jet aircraft – view down on urban landscape – atomic weapon explosion. Senior RAF Officer in a operations room states that is the sort of scenario we might find ourselves in if we ever go to war again. Threat from single low flying supersonic aircraft against UK and more deadly weapons have produced new and urgent forms of defence explained. Systems used in UK to detect enemy aircraft. Importance of vigilance by operators of radar etc. Film goes on to describe defence system in current use and personnel role in operating systems. Animated explanation of defence system to combat intruder aircraft. “Part Two – Reporting” - object to give earliest warning of approaching hostile aircraft. Radar used exclusively for this purpose. Placement of radar stations and make up and operation of system explained. FPS3 system described, Type 13 also shown. Reel 2: The function of any air defence system explained – destroying and harassing enemy aircraft before they reach the coast – diagrammatic explanation of system. Defence area divided into sectors – organisation of sectors shown. Close look at one sector to see it in operation. Raid Reporting Units pass information to Filter Centre which sends information to various stations. Sector Operations Centre is main user of info. Airfields and ground defences (Ground Controlled Interception), Coordination of all sectors is responsibility of ADOC (Air Defence Operations centre) which has overall control of battle. Control and reporting organisation. Reel 3: “Part Two - Reporting” - recap of previous reel. Earliest possible reporting of hostile action is essential. Chain of radar stations employed to prevent jamming of one single station. Raid Reporting Units described. Performances of different stations looked at . CH stations performance and operation described. Operators shown working at displays. Difference between fixed 'floodlight' style of radar (CH) and rotating narrow beam radar in operation. FPS 3 radar operation explained. Used in conjunction with Type 13 Radar to provide height. Type 7 and Type 14 radars shown. Type 14 requires use of Type 13 to obtain height readings. Type 80 Radar described (Type 13 also used with this radar). Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL) Radar covers low altitude and is mounted on tower or high ground to enable it's operation. Reel 4: Reporting procedure shown for low flying aircraft. Report sent from 'radar tube' to the 'filter centre' and at same time to the 'continuity table' and data passed back and forth regarding height etc. Procedure for surface vessel plot shown. Recap on coverage of types covered so far. Overland reporting covered next. Radar and lookout utilised once hostile aircraft have crossed coast. Type 7 and 14 most commonly used for overland detection. Royal Observer Corp reporting centres fed by reports from network of observation posts clustered in sets of 3 or 4 posts. Process of reporting contacts from ROC post. Defending radar system against jamming, “Radio Warfare” sections operate within each sector to help combat this threat. Recap of system. Identifying and sorting out plots called “Track Production” - role of “Filter Centre” in filtering reports and of Filter Controller, Filter Officer, Movements Liaison Officer, ROC officer. Reel 5: Following plot through Filter Centre from reception to dispatch – targets plotted on “filter table”, Filter Officer role, allocating symbols to targets on filter table. Radar IFF modes described. With the targets plotted targets can be listed as friendly, hostile or unidentified. Continuity of plotting tracks between sea and land filter tables essential as is handing over of tracks between sectors. Dissemination of information from Filter Centre to various other sections described. Reel 6: Use of reported information and defensive action. Reel 6: “Part 3 - Control” - Use of reported information and defensive action. Air Defence Operations Centre has overall authority of the air defence system. Air Defence Controller in command of ADOC. Explanation of operation of ADOC with various officers roles. Operations Centre of each sector is the hub of the reporting system. Sector Controller role. Air and Control Executives roles assisting Sector Controller. Make up of each track indicators on the table. Explanation of the Tote Boards. Imaginary attack followed through in slow time. Hunters from “Duxford” allocated to intercept. “Telescramble” comms system direct to pilot in aircraft on Operational Readiness Pan explained. Hunters scramble (WT585/F and WT622/G of 43 Sqn shown). Reel 7: Explanation of various states of readiness of aircraft - “Released” when aircraft not required for flying, “On Call” when aircraft are required to be airborne within 30 minutes of warning, “Available” airborne within 10 mins of warning, “Readiness airborne within 5 mins of warning and “Stand By the highest state of preparedness, the aircraft have “Telescramble” connected and are required to be airborne within 2 mins of warning. (Close up of Hunter F1 WT 582 “B” having Telescramble connected). Other methods used to scramble when Telescramble is not available. Direction and control of aircraft to intercept once airborne explained. Ground Controlled Interception (GCI) stations role explained, Chief Controller's role, dealing with multiple raids, various other operator roles shown. Reel 8: Continuation of explanation of other operator roles involved in plotting targets. Due to limited available VHF channels at GCI “Broadcast Control” is sometimes used. This method explained – intercepting aircraft directed to area of hostiles but actual interception of target left to formation commander. “Fighter Marshall” role explained. Low level threat risk – these are dealt with by the “Terrier Organisation” which is responsible for dealing with the “Rats”, as low level raiders are called. All the various sections which work together to ensure effective interception of hostile aircraft. Reel 9: “Part Four - The System In Operation”. Demonstration of how the control and reporting system works in a 'real time' during a simulated attack. Scenes of control rooms and 'ticking clock'. Report of intruder aircraft. Plotting and reporting hostiles. Scramble of Hunters and directing onto target. Tote board being updated. Other stations being brought to readiness. Reel 10: Five hostile raids now in area – stations updated by controllers. Fighters directed. Fighters return to base for refuelling and rearming. Reel 11: “Part 2 Procedure and Equipment In The United Kingdom” - Air defence system in UK explained – different types, The CH Station System and operator roles explained. The CHL Station System introduced to fill in gap in CH Station coverage. System explained – Type 13 radar a component part of this system. Displays shown. Crew of CHL system explained. Reel 12: “The CHEL Station” - Type 50 series radar fitted permits low flying aircraft to be detected. Range of detection explained. Interior views of CHEL Station and personnel and their roles.”Combined Filter Plotting Centre (CFP)” - tracks from Observer Corp posts passed to CFP. Roles of CFP personnel. IFF equipment used to identify aircraft being tracked. Reel 13: Tracking IFF signal emitting friendly aircraft. Non military flying, “lame ducks”(damaged aircraft), overlap areas between two sectors, covered. Other methods of filtering tracked aircraft. Mass raid tracking. Reel 14: “Sector Operations Centre – (SOC)” Track info goes from CFP to SOC. Processing tracks explained, filter table display stand elements described. Makeup of the Squadron State Display and Mission Tote board described and the information they display. Different methods of communication for scrambling aircraft. Gun Defended Areas control from SOC. Reel 15: “Part 3 Ground Control Of Fighters” - function of air defence system to put in place the correct number of aircraft to intercept hostile aircraft. “GCI Station” - role of Ground Controlled Interception system. Roles of personnel employed and layout of GCI cabin. Type 7 radar, Type 13 centimetric aerial system, Type 14 system shown. Mk3G Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) system fitted to fighters – VHF RT completes basic GCI equipment on station Reel 16: Reporting hall information boards (the tote) general information map, CGI close control and broadcast control described. “High Level Interception” - difficulty of high level interception due to visibility and manoeuvrability at altitude described.
- Alternative Title:
- Colour: B&W
- Digitised:
- Object_Number: AMY 364
- Sound: Sound
- Access Conditions:
- Featured Period: 1946-1975
- Production Date: 1955
- Production Country: GB
- Production Details: AIR MINISTRY (Production sponsor) Marcus Cooper Ltd (Production company)
- Personalities, Units and Organisations:
- Keywords:
- Physical Characteristics:
- Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 14 Footage: 12000 ft (ca); Running time: 133 mins (ca)
- HD Media:
- Link to IWM Collections page:
- Related IWM Collections Objects: