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Other titles:LAUNCHING AND RECOVERY OF AIRCRAFT IN SHIPS FITTED WITH CATAPULTS (Admiralty catalogue title) [Series Title]
Summary: Naval instruction film on the launching and recovery of aircraft in ships fitted with catapults.
Description: Largely shot on HMS Pegasus, the film concentrates mainly on the DH1 type catapult, fitted to Southampton and Cumberland class cruisers, and the Walrus flying boat. (Reel 1) Short history of attempts at early catapult design. basic principles of operation explained, slow motion demonstration of testing of cordite powered ram. Tour of ship's equipment - hangar with 2 spare planes, office, workshop, observer's darkroom, fire precautions, fuelling. Demo of launch, 'bombing up', explanation of limiting conditions for launch (aircraft weight, wind). (Reel 2) Preparation for launch; use of flags; crash boat; recovery cranes. (Reel 3) Handling of ship recovery. Sea landings. Recovery methods. Spectacular series of errors (planes turn over, passenger dropout).
Production Details: RN Film Studio Production (Production company)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Navy, Pegasus (regiment/service)
Keywords: equipment, British naval - propulsion: carrier deck catapult launcher (object name)
aircraft, British - seaplane: Supermarine Walrus (object name)
ships, British naval - aircraft carrier: Pegasus (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 3
Footage: 2684 ft; Running time: 30 mins
Notes: Remarks: adequate instructional film. Good interior scenes and details of equipment. Action by crews exaggerated for emphasis. Best scenes, of errors by pilots in Reel 3, marred by very poor quality of print.
