Description
Object description
Helicopters of 846 Naval Air Squadron assist Marines of 42 Commando in patrol work in the Sarawak border area.
Full description
A Whirlwind of 846 Squadron flies into Tringus, near the Indonesian border with Sarawak, to land men of "L" Company, 42 Commando for a routine relief of one of the patrols in the area. The landing is touch-and-go - the soldiers disembark and immediately unload their crates of supplies, one of them jumping back into the helicopter to recover his Sterling before giving a thumbs-up to the pilot, who immediately lifts off. A second Whirlwind is directed down onto the pad and more men are landed. MS of the patrol - one carries a L4A4, and two others are armed with Sterlings. The CO takes a drink from a water bottle as he discusses the situation with his 2-in-C who is stripped to the waist in the jungle heat. A Sarawak Border Scout talks with locals who carry machetes. The men of the patrol wait while the officers confer - one leans forward to brush an insect from a companion's clothing. Cut to an encampment, including a platform made of lashed branches, where the returning marine patrol waits - washing has been hung out to dry. General shots of one of 846 Squadron's Whirlwinds in flight over cultivated land. Back at Kuching airfield a helicopter has had the engine covers removed for routine maintenance. A mechanic lies underneath an aircraft, cleaning it with an airhose. Another Whirlwind, rotor blades folded, stands at the entrance to a canvas 'hangar', its open nose under cover while maintenance work goes on. Airmen of the maintenance parties relax with a game of volleyball. Cut back to the jungle border area where a party of Assault Engineers (?) are relaxing after a jungle patrol - cans of frankfurters are heated up and one of the troopers clowns about as he eats his sausage. Cut to aerial HA onto one of 846 Squadron's Whirlwinds landed in a cleared area of jungle - its engine is still running. A shot from the ground shows helicopters, recognition letters 'V' and 'Y', passing slowly overhead, watched by locals sitting in the shade of a hut - a drop has been made and troops sort out their gear. Helicopter 'V' lands on a log pad and kit is unloaded. Helicopter 'Y' in flight over the jungle.
Physical description
16mm