HMS HERMES' 1963-1964 COMMISSION [Allocated Title]

A pictorial record of activity on HMS Hermes during her second commission, starting in the Mediterranean and ending in Hong Kong.

Aerial sequence showing HMS Hermes entering Grand Harbour Valletta with crew manning the side and Wessex and Scimitar aircraft drawn up on deck. While at Malta a sports day is held with competitors drawn from the ship's company and men of the helicopter squadron - events include a bicycle race, running, the high jump and putting the shot. Cups are awarded at the end of the day. A cricket match is played on a 'hard pitch', followed by refreshments. A group of four Wrens onboard Hermes attract the cameraman's attention. Men and women relax on the beach - this may be during the ship's official visit to Beirut. Hermes resumes exercises. Sequence showing a visit to the ship at sea by an Army Auster Mk 9 AOP - possibly bringing a senior officer for a Operational Readiness Inspection. Aerial sequence showing Wessex helicopters in flight over Hermes and an escorting Weapon Class fleet radar picket. A Scimitar lands on. A celebration - Captain O'Brien and a Flight Lieutenant wearing the insignia of 801 Squadron cut a cake. Men go swimming from the ship. Hermes goes to Gibraltar for maintenance - LS from high ground showing Hermes alongside with the carrier HMS Centaur. Crewmen make a fuss of the apes. After Gibraltar, Hermes and Centaur exercise with French and US ships of the Atlantic Strike Fleet - USN Boeing HU2 helicopters (from Forrestal or Enterprise) visit the ship. Aerial shots of Centaur, Hermes, HMS Berwick (F.115) and the fleet radar picket HMS Corunna (D.97). Hermes replenishes from the Air Stores Support Ship Fort Duquesne - stores include equipment, such as the expendable steel strops for aircraft catapults, and rations - Donald Cook's Corned Beef, canned potatoes, dehydrated vegetables. After exercises, some relaxation (possibly at Palma) - a boat trip, beach scene, a tug of war with the locals. Aerial sequence showing Hermes at sea - Wessex HAS.1s of 814 Squadron are running up on the foredeck while a rescue Whirlwind keeps station to port. Onboard sequence as Whirlwind passes low over the flightdeck. Sea Vixens overfly the ship. Sea Vixen FAW.1 XN 695 lands on, folds wings and taxies forward, followed by XJ 586 - both aircraft carry Firestreak missiles. Fairey Gannets land on - good LA.CU from in front of aircraft 428, wings folded, engines still running. A flight of Wessex helicopters keep station with the planeguard Whirlwind off to port preparatory to landing on. Aerial of Hermes at sea. Sequence taken from Hermes in the Suez Canal - bankside settlement, camels in the desert, sunset, and the ship's shadow cast on the sands. An Army DHC2 Beaver XP 826 flies in to visit the ship. At sea again, the twin 40mm AA practises against a drone, parts of which are salvaged by one of the boats. Cut to anchorage of the Far Eastern Fleet - a Tiger Class cruiser, Type 41 AA frigate HMS Jaguar (F.37), the Flag frigate HMS Alert, a Type 12. The crew go ashore for R&R. Hermes docks at Singapore. Street scenes - rickshaw men, the NAAFI Britannia Club, men relaxing at a swimming pool. Sequence featuring the curious statuary in the Tiger Balm Gardens. Hermes at sea again. On deck work on the aircraft - a Scimitar comes up on the lift, Sea Vixens and Scimitars are moved about the flightdeck. Armament is brought up on bomb lift - the aircraft are armed with 2-inch rockets and small pyrotechnic practice bombs. Scimitar 153 is positioned on catapult. Anti-submarine escort HMS Caesar (D.07) practises against a target towed by another vessel. Hermes flies a Rear-Admiral's flag - presumably that of Rear-Admiral Scatchard, Flag Officer 2-in-C Far East Fleet. A Scimitar is launched from a catapult - a sequence constructed from launchings of three aircraft - 154, 152 and 155. Sea Vixen launch (aircraft 210, 217 and 212). More aircraft launchings. Four Scimitars fly past in quarter line. Sequence shot from mountain railway above Hong Kong - Hermes and a Type 12 frigate - probably HMS Rothesay (F.107) - are visible with other RN ships in the harbour below. Street scenes - China Fleet Club, topped by an illuminated advertisement for San Miguel Beer, and a sequence shot at night showing the variety of neon signs advertising bars, including the inevitable "Suzie Wong Bar and Night Club". Hermes leaves Hong Kong - as the carrier's Marine band plays on the flightdeck, crowds of Chinese wave farewell and set off firecrackers from junks in the harbour. At sea again the crew indulge in yet another tug of war, this time for a prize of a pack of Beck's Beer, play deck hockey, and keep fit with gymnastics and silly games.

16mm