Title:HMS ARK ROYAL : life on board an aircraft carrier [Main Title]
Film Number:ADM 2105
Other titles:POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
Summary:A portrait of "a virile, modern fighting ship" - in this case HMS Ark Royal on a cruise in the Mediterranean early in 1958.
Description:Reel One. Establishing shots show Ark Royal at anchor in the Bay of Naples - she leaves to continue her Mediterranean cruise. The daily routine - with the rescue helicopter airborne, the carrier launches a mixture of Gannets, Sea Hawks and Venoms. There follows a CU study of the steam catapult, which is claimed as a British invention, with shots of the rollers positioning the aircraft on the catapult, the catapult shuttle, and the strop securing the aircraft to the shuttle - the commentary points out that every strop costs seven pounds and is lost when the aircraft is launched. An AEW Skyraider of 849 Squadron is flown off - the aircraft has a stylised bumble bee on the nose, signifying 'B' flight. After the first detail has gone, the deck crew work at "tidying up" the flightdeck - tractors tow a range of FGA.4 and FGA.6 Sea Hawks forward to the lift. CUs on the hangar deck as a Sea Venom FAW.21 of 893 Squadron is struck down - in the background are Skyraiders. MS of "strange hangar bedfellows" - a car, ship's boat, and a Whirlwind helicopter of 701 Squadron parked together. A Skyraider and a Venom undergo engine maintenance work. The ship's blacksmith works with traditional hammer and anvil, while a mechanic works on a lathe - Ark Royal has all the facilities of "a fine modern factory". Reel Two. Aerial shots of Sea Hawks in flight. A pilot briefing is given by the CO of 893 Squadron. A Sea Hawk is launched, another lands on - the presence of the rescue helicopter has made operations less dangerous. CUs of mirror landing site "another British invention adopted by the Americans". A Venom and a Gannet land on, the Gannet missing the wire and going round again - years ago such an error would have piled the aircraft into the crash barrier, but now there is an angled deck, "another British invention adopted by the Americans". Sea Hawks and a Gannet land on. Two Sea Hawk FB.3s of 802 Squadron are struck down. A Venom is refuelled. Aerial view of the carrier shows her steaming through the Straits of Messina. Clouds rise from Stromboli volcano. Interiors of the men's mess and the bakery form a background to facts and figures about the ship's food requirements - featured is a cake baked to celebrate 10,000 deck landings during the current commission, and decorated with past and present squadron numbers. The men relax, sunbathing on deck, swimming, playing football and hockey on the flightdeck. Sequence showing some of the destroyers escorting Ark Royal in a fleet exercise with cruisers Gambia and Glasgow, and a submarine (possibly HMS Anchorite). The destroyers represent "speed, punch and gaiety" - onboard HMS Cavendish crews are closed up at the 4.5-inch guns, and a torpedo is fired. Reel Three, consisting of action sequences intercut with the domestic life of the ship. Night scene - a Whirlwind lands on. HMS Carysfort (D.25) serves as close escort and rescue ship. In the ship's shop crewmen obtain the things they need "when mum's not around to do the washing and the darning." A Gannet is flown off. LSO uses illuminated wands to direct a Venom landing. Sea Hawk takes off. Ark Royal's television system broadcasts the ship's own rhythm group, The Rebels. Ship's library. Sailors at leisure - painting, studying. More take offs and landings. Mid-ocean refuelling with destroyers from the Fleet replenishment Tanker HMS Tiderace. After refuelling the men - "only overgrown schoolboys" at heart - enjoy ice cream and tea. Ark Royal takes on stores from the Fleet Supply Ship Retainer. The schoolboys move bombs across the deck on trolleys, and ammunition a range of FGA.4, FGA.6 and FB.3 Sea Hawks - CUs as a FGA.6 of 800 Squadron XE 438 receives belts of 20mm for its Hispano cannon.
Alternative Title:POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:B&W
Digitised:Yes
Object_Number:ADM 2105
Sound:Sound
Access Conditions:IWM
Film: IWM
Featured Period:1945-1989
Production Date:1958-1958
Production Country:GB
Production Details:Admiralty (Production sponsor)
Warrington, John (Production individual)
Westbury, Ken (Production individual)
Court, Jimmy (Production individual)
Errington, Mac (Production individual)
Tomlinson, Sheila S (Production individual)
Pennick, David (Lieutenant-Commander) (Production individual)
Edgar, Barrie (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics:Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details:35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2244 ft; Running time: 26 mins
