Title:TRIALS ONBOARD HMS ARK ROYAL AFTER HER FIRST MAJOR REFIT [Allocated Title]
Film Number:ADM 1617
Other titles:POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Aircraft of the Trials and Requirements Unit, No 700 Squadron, based at RNAS Ford, operate from the newly refitted HMS Ark Royal.
Description: HA.MS as Sea Venom FAW.21 523 of 700 Squadron is directed onto the starboard bow catapult - when tensioned the aircraft is not properly aligned, and the catapult crew return to correct the bridle's fit. 523 is launched. HA aft as Venom 524 lands on. HA onto starboard catapult again as 524 taxies onto the chocks and is stropped up. 524 is launched. Another Venom is launched. 524 lands on again. HA onto the starboard catapult just after a launch, steam drifting away from the track. 524 taxies forward for yet another launch. After a section of spacer, the film cuts to a LA.MS across the deck to Wyvern S.4 518 (WP 342) on the starboard catapult - a stroboscopic effect makes the propellers appear to turn quite slowly. Deck crew push on the wings to move the aircraft back, the bridle is fitted and tensioned, hold back ramp goes down and on the FDO's signal the aircraft is launched. Fairey Gannet AS.1 522 follows - she is positioned with less fuss, stropped up and launched. HA onto the duty helicopter, Whirlwind 971, just come up on the forward elevator - men bolt the straightened rotor blades into position, load some sacks into the aircraft, and push it forward off the lift. The elevator brings up a casualty - one of the deck crew struck by a Gannet's airscrew - and a party carry the stretcher to the helicopter, now chocked up on the flightdeck. 971 runs up and lifts off.
Alternative Title:POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
