Other titles:POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: The Admiralty, having understood the need for up-to-date targets for ship gunnery practices, it was decided to purchase from a French manufacturer some French designed pilotless jet target aircraft for trial purposes.
Description: Launch of pilotless test aircraft (PTA) from Fort Benghaisa, Malta; shots of PTA leaving ramp and booster rocket leaving target and dropping into sea. RFA Sea Salvor drops marker buoy over booster rocket's position in the sea. Sea Salvor picks up booster rocket, also scene of her sailing seawards prior to picking up PTA prior to gunnery practice. Further shots of PTA launch, booster drop, ditching and recovery. RN ratings track the PTA using binoculars. Officers and ratings work in the control room (from here on PTA's flight is radio-controlled). View of target position in sea after dropping on automatically operated parachute; parachute being hauled out of water by crew of the Sea Salvor's motor launch. Wire hawser attached to target; target being brought out of water, drained, brought inboard and stowed away for use on next trials. These show her 4.5-inch and 40mm anti-aircraft guns trained on and operating against high speed target (itself out of sight during this sequence).
Alternative Title:POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
