64 SQUADRON AT RAF STATION HORNCHURCH [Allocated Title]

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  • Title: 64 SQUADRON AT RAF STATION HORNCHURCH [Allocated Title]
  • Film Number: ARY 9
  • Other titles:
  • Summary: General scenes of 64 Squadron at RAF Hornchurch.
  • Description: Reel 1. Spitfire 'D' of 64 Squadron is rolled onto the apron. The engine is started up and the electrical booster lead removed. After the squadron takes off in long shot, a close up of the cockpit of 64 Squadron's CO (Squadron Leader Smith) reveals his pennant and the name 'ATCHASHIKAR' painted on the side. Pilots, led by the CO (note that he is wearing a Luftwaffe life preserver), leave the dispersal hut and make towards their aircraft. A Spitfire, its engine cowlings removed, is started up and four ground crew sit on the tail to stop it from rising of the ground. Two ground crew look skyward. A pilot boards his aircraft and is helped into his Sutton harness. A ground tradesman tests a wireless set in another aircraft as the pilot dons his helmet and starts the engine. The squadron is seen in formation over the airfield as ground crew in the blast pens and by the hangars (near the station's Control Tower) await their return. Pilots run to their aircraft. The CO straps into his machine, but is next seen talking to the unit's Intelligence Officer who takes notes. Later the Squadron fly over and the CO taxies into the blast pen. Ground crew rush to the machine as the CO makes a report to the IO and other machines and aircrew arrive. A Sergeant pilot gets out of his aircraft which is then refuelled. The reel ends with a good long shot of the squadron taking off line abreast and taxiing. Reel 2. Aircraft of 64 and 122 Squadrons are seen taxiing, taking off and landing. Shots are various and good and also show Spitfires flying over the airfield. Stampe Vertongen SV 4 aircraft comes in to land in a good close shot (this aircraft is No J7777, which French Squadron Leader Michel Donnet used to escape from occupied France). Reel 3. Various scenes show 'finger fours' or flights of aircraft landing at the airfield and the squadron taxiing in to the dispersal. Pilots are seen in close up in their aircraft as is the CO's dog. In a faked shot (note the undamaged propeller) a Spitfire is shown tipped up on its nose. Ground crew run to assist as the fire truck and ambulance race to the scene. The reel ends with good shots of a Spitfire being started up and close-ups of the pilot and ground crew at work. Reel 4. Cloud studies are followed by shots of 122 Squadron landing and taxiing. The camera then follows the squadron taking off from the vantage point of the Tiger Moth cockpit and films the aircraft in flight alongside. A cockpit view of a landing and the pilot and ground staff pushing the Moth back to dispersal concludes the reel.
  • Alternative Title:
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised: Yes
  • Object_Number: ARY 9
  • Sound: Silent
  • Access Conditions: IWM Attribution: © IWM
  • Featured Period: 1939-1945
  • Production Date: 1942-05-07
  • Production Country: GB
  • Production Details: Royal Air Force (Production sponsor) RAF Film Production Unit (Production company) Moyna, E P G (Production individual) Hatchard (Pilot Officer) (Production individual) Pollard (Pilot Officer) (Production individual) Pilgrim (Pilot Officer) (Production individual) Challis, Christopher George (Production individual) Towler (Sergeant) (Production individual)
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: Smith, W G G D (Squadron Leader, DFC & bar) (person) Royal Air Force, Sqdn 64 (regiment/service) Royal Air Force, Sqdn 122 (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: aircraft, British - combat: Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb (object name) aircraft, Belgian - light military: Stampe and Vertongen SV 4 (object name) GB, England & Hornchurch, Essex <RAF Station> (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Silent Soundtrack language: None Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 4 Footage: 2955 ft; Running time: 32 mins
  • HD Media:Yes
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    ARY 9

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