HMS VICTORIOUS IS ORDERED TO THE PERSIAN GULF [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: HMS VICTORIOUS IS ORDERED TO THE PERSIAN GULF [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 3134
  • Other titles: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - KUWAIT [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: En route to Hong Kong HMS Victorious exercises her crew in riot squad drill. The exercise is not taken very seriously. In Reels Two and Three Victorious has reversed course and is steaming towards the Persian Gulf in response to the Kuwait crisis.
  • Description: (Reel One) A pile of No 4 rifles is stacked on deck. The landing party is briefed - one man threads a sling onto his rifle as he listens. The party goes ashore by boat - one of the sailors carries a Bren. The men arrive at a small landing stage and there is another brief conference. Radio equipment is tested. Watched by a local family, the party sets off inland through lush tropical vegetation. LSs from the shore show Victorious lying at anchor in the bay. Cut to scene of the riot - a group of sailors playing the part of the mob advances along the beach, shouting and waving sticks and a parasol. The shore party advances by squads, grounds arms and the front rank kneels, whereupon the mob adopts the unusual tactic of kicking sand in their faces. The riot squad hoists a placard on which the customary order to disperse has been replaced by the message CELTIC IS BETTER. The front rank then takes aim and opens fire. The mob's leader collapses onto the sand and his followers, apparently unscathed, take instant flight. Bearers then approach the wounded man who has just enough strength left to scramble onto the stretcher. (Reel Two) MS across the deck of Victorious at sea to Sea Vixen FAW.1 218 (XJ 579) of 892 Squadron, parked with wings folded - the aircraft is armed with rocket packs and Firestreak missiles. SAR Whirlwind passes left to right in the background. 218 is started up (the air starter trolley is streamlined to enable it to be carried as an underwing store). Gannet AEW.3 428 (XL 481) straightens its wings as it taxies forward onto the port bow catapult. LA as the catapult team offer up the bridle to attachment points on the underside of the aircraft and the shuttle moves forward to take up the slack. The chocks are retracted, and the men run clear. MS to the Flight Deck Officer as he waves his flag, signalling to the pilot to go for maximum throttle - in the foreground stands a rating holding the pilot's cockpit check-board. 428 is launched. LA.MCU of Vixen 218 on catapult. 218 is launched. Vixen 216 (XJ 566), armed with four rocket packs, moves forward onto the catapult. The team runs clear and the catapult chief gives thumbs up to the FDO to proceed - 216 is launched. (Reel Three) CUs of Royal Marine gun crew manning one of Victorious's twin 3-inch guns. MS as the gun trains round. Aerial LSs of Victorious at sea - she is steaming at 22-knots and leaving a considerable wake - in the long oceanic swell she also throws up a fine bow wave. Aerial LS of HMS Lincoln (F.99) in company with the carrier. CU sequence as men arm a Sea Vixen with packs of twenty-four 2-inch rockets.
  • Alternative Title: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - KUWAIT [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 3134
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM (ADM 3134)
  • Featured Period: 1946-1975
  • Production Date: 1961
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, Victorious (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Lincoln (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - aircraft carrier, fleet: Victorious & [-] (object name) ships, British naval - frigate: Lincoln (F.99) (object name) weapons, British naval air - rocket: 2-inch (object name) operations, British naval air - preparation: arming aircraft (object name) training, British naval - combat: riot squad (object name) law and order, British - use of troops: riot squad training (object name)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 3 Footage: 469 ft; Running time: 13 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 3134

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