FLIGHT REFUELLING SYSTEM [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: FLIGHT REFUELLING SYSTEM [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 2082
  • Other titles: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: General illustrative piece on in-flight refuelling by the buddy system and from a Victor tanker.
  • Description: Camera aircraft refuels by the 'buddy' technique from the Yeovilton-based Sea Vixen FAW.2 703 (XN 685) of 890 Squadron. CU as the camera aircraft's probe connects with the refuelling drogue. The two aircraft separate. LA and profile aerial views as Phantom FG.1 153 (XT 868) of 767 Squadron refuels from Sea Vixen FAW.1 XN 651. MS to tail of a Victor K.1 tanker trailing three hoses as a RAF Harrier refuels. LA rear view of a Buccaneer S.2 (XN 975 ?) trailing a hose from a refuelling pod under the starboard wing - the camera aircraft closes as the Buccaneer reels in the hose. A title card gives the basic operating limits of the flight refuelling system - approved for use from 230 knots indicated air speed or Mach 0.95 up to an altitude of 50,000 feet. Final LS from HMS Ark Royal at sea showing a Phantom refuelling from a Buccaneer - the aircraft fly past left to right before separating, the Phantom peeling away to starboard and gaining speed.
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (ADM 2082)
  • Featured Period: 1946-1975
  • Production Date: 1970
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations (Navy) (Production sponsor)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Sqdn 890 (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Sqdn 767 (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: aircraft, British naval - combat: De Havilland Sea Vixen (object name) aircraft, British naval - combat: Blackburn Buccaneer (object name) aircraft, United States naval - combat: McDonnell F-4 Phantom & [British] (object name) aircraft, British - transport: Handley Page Victor (object name) operations, British naval air - preparation: refuelling, in-flight (object name)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: English
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 120 ft; Running time: 3 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Notes: Summary: the Sea Vixen XN 685 was one of two aircraft taken from the production lines for conversion to Mk 2 prototypes and first flown as such in 1962. The Phantom's fleet number 153 suggests that this aircraft belonged to 767 Squadron, formed at Yeovilton in January 1969 to convert RN and RAF pilots to the FG.1
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 2082

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