Description
Object description
Exploration of three occupational interest areas within the British Army - outdoor and practical crafts, drivers, mechanical maintenance and workshop crafts, and specialist operators and storemen. Second of three films aimed at helping new recruits to choose which area in which to specialise.
Full description
After introductory shot of two civilians entering Army Careers Information office, the film looks at three areas of interest for new recruits.
Content description
OUTDOOR AND PRACTICAL CRAFTS. Toughness is needed - this area covers constructional work (building an airfield, laying bricks and culvert, operating a Hymac excavator). Many examples are shown. Freight handlers: at Marchwood, Royal Corps of Transport men unload pallets of 7.62mm ammunition from railway wagon using Hyster fork-lift truck where they are loaded onto cargo ship. Air Despatchers load pallets and assist in para-drop. Petroleum operators (Royal Army Ordnance Corps) set up collapsible fuel tank and fill jerricans, testing the quality of the fuel as well. Communications: linesmen in Land Rover drive over moorland lay cable and set up pole crossing. Vehicle Recovery Mechanics: an FV1119 Recovery Vehicle (Wheeled) aids a stricken Ferret AC. Recruits in this area should be prepared to work out of doors in all conditions (building a road in muddy ground) and strenuous physical effort is called for (loading shells into trailer); practical skills and the ability to work as part of a team are also important (men lay culvert).
Content description
DRIVERS. For those interested in driving and transport equipment, starting with Bedford 4-tonners and Land Rovers moving on to more specialist vehicles: Austin staff car, Antar 10-ton tank transporter (with Chieftain tank), motorcycle despatch riders, 6-ton crane, Alvis Stalwart amphibious six-wheelers. The army also has its own ships: shown are Eden small landing craft, HMAV Aachen (L4062) thousand-ton landing craft with DUKWs, hovercraft (SRN6 of 200 Hovercraft Squadron RCT shown). Other aspects of this area include maintenance (Land Rovers and four-tonners here), cleaning (Alvis Stalwart) and route-finding (Stalwart navigation through wood to deliver ammunition to combat unit). Scenes of Army Land Rover and transport lines where vehicles are being cleaned (including a Ford Zephyr staff car). The Army driver should be "a bit of a loner" who can make decisions (Royal Corps of Transport driver in Land Rover crosses country in Cyprus).
Content description
MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE AND WORKSHOP CRAFTS. For people who like working with their hands and tools; fitter machinists work on lathes and cutters, specialist fitters (here removing the gun barrel from 175mm SPG using two FV1119s for support), vehicle mechanics (seen repairing various vehicles, using Crypton analyser on Bedford four-tonner and fixing gearbox). Mechanics must be prepared to get their hands dirty and work outdoors (damaged track removed from Chieftain tank in field). Marine engineers, working on Eden, on RCT work boat (WB04 - note Sir Geraint in background) and replacing propeller on HLS. Aircraft technicians, working on Westland Scout and replacing engine on De Havilland Beaver; they require interest in both engines and airframe. Workshop crafts include carpenters, plumbers and painters, all seen fitting out a hut. Craftsmen (plumber fitting central heating) and mechanics (Scout helicopter engine tested for metal fatigue using Novelec device) have much in common: all practical jobs requiring skill with hands and tools including sophisticated ones (vehicle mechanic using Hartridge 1100 Universal fuel pump test stand); all involve making and repairing (welder working on FV432, frogman welding underwater cable); all require training (helicopter mechanics study in classroom then are seen testing a Scout which takes off); most take place indoors in workshops. All carry great responsibility - "other people's lives will depend on the work you do". Finally, the qualities needed for each interest area are summarised using an animated pair of scales to balance (on one side) the options available with (on the other side) the requirements needed for each role. Film ends with scene of soldiers (in Cyprus ?) deplaning from Air Support Command Hercules and driving off in Bedford RL lorries, as the commentary trails the third and final part of the film.
Physical description
35mm