Description
Object description
Scenes onboard HMS Implacable while operating in Japanese waters as part of TF 37, July-August 1945
Full description
HA.MS from the island onto flight deck as TBD Avenger 386 is launched from the port catapult - cruiser in LS off the port bow. A second Avenger is launched. HA as TBD 370, having missed the wire, collides with the safety barrier - the observer can be seen bracing himself for the impact. Frontal LA.CU of LSO directing an approach, the camera panning slightly to the right to frame Seafire as it lands on - as the deck crew crowd round the Seafire the LSO waves off the next aircraft. Second Seafire lands on, camera holding on the arrester wire as it retracts. Two more Seafires take the wire. LSO directs another Seafire down. Out of focus LS as an aircraft passes right to left over the fleet - possibly a Japanese intruder, though there is no apparent flak. Revert to camera position about LSO - a Seafire lands on. Firefly lands on. LS along the flight deck to where another Firefly, having missed the wire, pitches forward on colliding with the safety barrier. LA to LSO as he directs TBD 380 down to a neat landing. A second TBD takes the wire and begins to fold wings as deck crew free the arrester wire - camera holds on the wire as it retracts. HA.MS onto leading edge of the flight deck as group of seven Seafires take off. HA pan from island following take off run of Seafire 147 - at the end of the shot the camera is shooting forward along the side of the island past the Flying Control position. Seafire 156 lands on, going over the wire and the lowered first safety barrier to collide with the second barrier - the aircraft pitches forward, damaging the propeller, but falls back onto the deck - deck crew form up along the wings to push the aircraft out of the barrier and the forward to the parking area. Seafire and then Firefly land on. HA aft to Firefly 272 which has collided with the first barrier, breaking off the whole engine compartment and collapsing the undercarriage - the engine smoulders as rush forward with hoses and hasten to extricate the pilot and observer. The damaged aircraft is heaved across the deck to be picked up by the crane and dropped overboard. LS aft through safety barriers as a Firefly touches down, bounces high over the wire and climbs away, veering across the deck to port. LS along deck to Seafire - the aircraft has been arrested off centre and port mainwheel leg shock absorber has partially collapsed - the engine is still running. LA from starboard catwalk as Seafire makes its approach. TBD 370 taxies forward to be positioned on catapult, pilot unfolds wings and aircraft is launched. Crew look out to sea - a second fleet carrier is visible. HA as men run towards mobile crane parked athwartships at lip of the flight deck - a pole and line have been rigged on the flight deck - replenishment? HA aft over array of parked Avengers and Seafires as crew carry out routine maintenance - broad on the port quarter is companion carrier which flashes a signal. Final underexposed sequence on hangar deck as new engine is fitted to a Firefly.
Physical description
35mm