Description
Object description
An army film magazine demonstrating trials of new equipment and operational techniques: a Saladin armoured car, new battle dress and a combined operation between Royal Engineers and RAF helicopters to assemble a raft.
Full description
A Saladin armoured car is trialled at the Fighting Vehicle Development and Research Establishment at Chobham. The vehicle, manned by men of the First Dragoon Guards, draws up and there are various close-ups of its features: the 2.30 Browning machine gun; the 75mm gun, six wheels, and 8 cylinder engine. The Saladin is then driven over various purpose built obstacles and surfaces: concrete blocks; a very steep gradient; cobblestones to demonstrate its value in continental driving; racing and turning sharply over paving to demonstrate the independent suspension; and finally at speed through an ice covered pond. Cut to a platoon of men in the field at the Clothing and Stores Experimental Research Establishment at Farnham. The men are wearing a light grey battle dress, which is new, and 1937 pattern webbing. They carry Lee Enfield Mk 3 rifles or Sten machine guns. The camera follows them as they clamber over an assault course in order to test the new clothing. They crawl along the ground, under a wooden obstacle, over a wall, along a log and finally jump into a muddy hole full of water. There are various close ups of the men as well as of the officers observing the trial, including Sergeant Major Kemp of the Buffs. Cut to a Ferret scout car moving through woods. It stops at the edge of a river. A Royal Engineer Officer is seen radioing for assistance. Cut to a unit of Engineers climbing into a Westland Whirlwind helicopter (XK991 HAR2) which then ferries them to the riverside so that they can prepare a raft for the Ferret to cross the river. The helicopter is part of the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit. A second unidentified Whirlwind then collects Mk IV assault boats which it drops into the water, the pilot uses the down draft of the rotor blades to push the boat to shore. The REME men fix the boats together as the Whirlwind retrieves more assault boats. Finally the helicopter brings the decking which the REME lay across the four boats and the Ferret drives aboard. By a combination of rowing and towing, the raft crosses the river. The commentary notes that the speed of this kind of operation is the goal.
Physical description
35mm