NAVAL HELICOPTERS [Main Title]

Log in to create clips, download free screeners and save clips/films in Collections. Click here to find out more.


  • Title: NAVAL HELICOPTERS [Main Title]
  • Film Number: ADM 2106
  • Other titles: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
  • Summary: An introduction to naval helicopters, their uses, and elementary safety procedures to observe when near them on the ground
  • Description: In the introductory sequence a RAS Whirlwind rescues the pilot of a ditched anti-submarine Gannet by scooping up the man and his liferaft in a net. The three types of RN helicopter are introduced - Whirlwind, US Hiller HT.1, and the Dragonfly. The basic flying characteristics of the helicopter are demonstrated - vertical take-off and landing, short take-off if there is little wind or the aircraft is heavily loaded, free descent by autorotation. Hiller and then Whirlwind demonstrate manoeuvrability. A new type, the S-58 (Wessex), is about to enter service, capable of transporting 19-20 men. A Dragonfly tail-rotor is used to demonstrate the invisibility of the rotor in motion, less than six feet from the ground. This is followed by a few basic safety rules to be observed around grounded aircraft - never approach unless you have to, keep always in the pilots view, keep chin stays on hats - if a hat blows off you might unthinkingly run after it into the rotors - and never go directly aft on leaving a helicopter. A Dragonfly demonstrates the various means of retrieving men from the sea - lift by a lowered strop, rescue with a scoop net, a double lift to recover an unconscious man. A brief sequence of shots - a landing on HMS Illustrious and 806 Squadron Sea Hawks - draws attention to the usefulness of the helicopter as planeguard for aircraft carriers. The pick up of a stretcher case from the radio trials ship HMS Fleetwood (F.47) is used to illustrate some of the basic rules to be observed when a ship or ground crew work with a helicopter, and the general point that the advent of the helicopter can reduce the transport time for casualties from hours to minutes. The helicopter, "a very present help in time of need, a gallant lifesaver on many occasions in many parts of the world."
  • Alternative Title: POST-WAR NAVAL OPERATIONS - MISCELLANEOUS [Allocated Series Title]
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: ADM 2106
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1946-1975
  • Production Date: 1956
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Admiralty (Production sponsor) Anvil Film and Recording Group (Production company)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, FLEETWOOD (HMS), sloop (regiment/service) Royal Navy, Illustrious (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: ships, British naval - aircraft carrier, fleet: Illustrious & [-] (object name) ships, British naval - STR: Fleetwood (F.47) (object name) aircraft, British naval - helicopter: Westland Dragonfly (object name) aircraft, British naval - helicopter: Westland Whirlwind (object name) aircraft, British naval - helicopter: Westland Wessex (object name) aircraft, United States naval - helicopter: Hiller HT.1 & [British] (object name) transport, United States military - amphibious: DUKW & [British] (object name) operations, British naval air - rescue (object name) Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: English Title language: English Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 16mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 1 Footage: 886 ft; Running time: 24 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ADM 2106

  • Related IWM Collections Objects:
Register