THE BUCCANEERS [Main Title]

Fictionalised documentary in which Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 aircraft (800 RNAS operating from the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle) successfully bomb an enemy-held viaduct.

(Reel One) HMS Eagle and its aircraft are introduced as part of "the world's most mobile fighting force". A brief section of archive footage pays tribute to the early pioneers of naval aviation. HMS Hampshire (D.06) guards the carrier against aircraft, and the frigate HMS Galatea (F.18) and 820 Squadron's Wessex HAS.1s watch for submarines. AEW is provided by the 849D's Gannet AEW.3s. The Buccaneer S.1s of 800 Squadron are given the mission of striking at the enemy's supply lines by destroying a viaduct. While the aircraft are marshalled on deck and the catapult gear is checked, the pilots are given their briefing - at this point two 'characters' are introduced, Guy Harris and Dave Thomson, the pilot and observer of Buccaneer 106. (Note that one of the pilots at the briefing wears the badge of 831, an Electronic Warfare squadron who embarked on carriers from time to time for exercises.) On deck, aircraft and ordnance - 1,000-pound bombs - are prepared. The Lieutenant-Commander (Flying) takes up his position in the Flying control position. CU of drill Red Top Anti-Aircraft Missile on one of 899's Vixen FAW.2s. A Buccaneer is unblanked. Guy and Dave board 106. 820 fly planeguard and ASW patrol. As the fixed-wing aircraft are launched each is descriptively tagged - Gannets are "airborne eyes of the fleet", Vixens are a "shield against possible air attack", Scimitars are "flying filling stations". Detailed sequence showing the launch of the Buccaneers. Ship's radar directs the Buccaneer flight to a rendezvous with the Scimitar F.1 tankers of 800B - the camera is now in the observer's seat of one of the Buccaneers. The camera-aircraft refuels. More aerial shots show a Wessex lowering and retracting its dipping sonar and Sea Vixens flying Combat Air Patrol. As they approach the coast, the Buccaneers descend through the cloud layer to fly low level (10 feet above the sea) to avoid enemy radar.

(Reel Two) The Buccaneers cross the coast and fly down a valley to attack the viaduct (simulated - shots of the Buccaneers dropping practice bombs are intercut with pyrotechnic petrol explosions on the top of the viaduct). The viaduct collapses (clearly demolished by a series of set explosions at the base of the brick piers). The aircraft return to the ship. The CAP lands on. As the Buccaneers approach Eagle the weather closes in, necessitating a Carrier Controlled Approach. Talked down by the CCA radar operators the first Buccaneer lands on successfully, but Guy and Dave are given a bolter from the Flyco (Flying Coordinator). Their second attempt is successful. The AEW Gannets land on - all the aircraft of this flight have a humorous 'snorting dragon' badge below the cockpit (D Flight - D for Dragon ?). The film ends with a montage of Seaslug, Seacat and Polaris firings and the assurance that as "technical developments never stand still" the missile will replace the aircraft as the weapon of the future. "Many of Her Majesty's ships at sea today are equipped with these latest weapons systems. More ships with even more advanced missiles are to follow. But for some years yet our ground forces and the Royal Navy will still be able to rely on the Fleet Air Arm equipped with Buccaneers and soon the 2,000 mile an hour Phantom for speedy and powerful assistance whenever and wherever required."

35mm