HMS BATTLEAXE LOADS SEAWOLF LAUNCHER AND REPLENISHES AT SEA [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: HMS BATTLEAXE LOADS SEAWOLF LAUNCHER AND REPLENISHES AT SEA [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 6384
  • Other titles: THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE GULF, 1990-1991 [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: Badly distorted reel containing some unintentional but entertaining dialogue by the RN cameramen.
  • Description: After some initial dialogue which concludes that the video is "f---ed", the camera team nevertheless attempt to film the unmooring of Orangeleaf and Battleaxe in Doha - except for a few fragmentary images, this is unsuccessful. The video-camera then comes to life on the DPR(N) equivalent of an operating table, and serious filming begins. (i) Forward Sea Wolf launcher is loaded, the missiles each being brought forward on a trolley from the ready-use room, and loaded manually. Mats have been spread over the Sea Wolf and Exocet launchers in an attempt to keep them cool. Cut to LS of Orangeleaf steaming in line ahead and pull back to show crew still tinkering with Sea Wolf launcher. (ii) Bridge interior. A Lieutenant (OOW ?) stands by the compass pelorus - he goes over to look briefly at the navigational radar. Commander Gordon-Lennox occupies the captain's chair. In preparation for the RAS he dons his US-style baseball cap. Orders are issued to the engine room - the helmsman repeating them wears a sonar branch badge. CUs of the captain in dark glasses and baseball cap - he requests launch time from the flightdeck. More orders are given to engine room and helm. View from bridge window to Orangeleaf steaming off the starboard bow. Captain requests 'Romeo at the dip' and prepares for the final RAS approach. Cut to starboard waist deck where RAS team are hauling in gun line - the messenger comes inboard and runs through a leading block to the winch. Heaving in begins. LA to Petty Officer commanding the party shouting orders from the roof of the hangar - he takes the telephone cable as it comes in on the messenger. MSs of party handling the messenger and hose line - one of them is black. CU of hose line coming inboard - a man cuts seizing to free elongated slip of the ATW and inserts the slip into the pelican hook on the probe receiver, securing the hook with a pin - presumably the pin does not seat properly for he removes then re-inserts it. (On neither occasion does he split the pin, which is bad practice.) Order is given to heave inboard at full speed. LA.MS of the tensioned wire as the trolley runs down to the probe receiver - the flags go up to indicate a good connection. MSs to troughs of the hose hanging between the two ships and aft to bridge of the tanker. Crew watch from the guard rails as pumping begins - one of the men noticing the camera, puts his arm around a marine in a camp embrace. LA.MS as Lynx lands on flightdeck. MS to bows of Orangeleaf as a rating feels the distance line where it runs in through a fairlead - the tanker is about 120 feet distant. View aft to show the catina of hose between the two ships. LA.CU as the probe head disconnects and the rig is recovered. Rating prepares to knock open the pelican hook - this is heard but not seen as the cameraman stops actively filming.
  • Alternative Title: THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE GULF, 1990-1991 [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: Colour
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 6384
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © Crown copyright. IWM (ADM 6384)
  • Featured Period: 1990-2000
  • Production Date: 1990-08-06
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Directorate of Public Relations (Navy) Film and Photographic (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, BATTLEAXE (HMS), frigate (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Orangeleaf (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - frigate: Battleaxe (object name) ships, British naval - supply: Orangeleaf (object name) weapons, British naval - missile: Sea Wolf (object name) operations, British naval - routine: replenishment at sea (object name) 12/7(536.8) (event) Qatar & Doha (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: Beta-SP; VHS Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 6384

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