HMS VICTORIOUS AND HMS EAGLE IN THE FAR EAST [Allocated Title]

RAS for HMS Victorious, HMS Eagle and other ships of the Far East Fleet. Air operations onboard the cameraship Victorious.

Long sequence showing a replenishment at sea from the Air Stores Support Ship Reliant (A.84). Two jackstays have been rigged and cargo nets of stores - mainly boxed food supplies - are transferred to the carrier. Once onboard, the cargo nets are moved by roller conveyor and fork-lift truck to the lifts for transfer to the hangar deck. Cut to LS down the flightdeck - a barrier has been rigged across the deck, the nylon fluttering in the stiff breeze. MS of a parked SAR Wessex helicopter and pan right to the island, surmounted by the Type 984 antenna, and to Buccaneers ranged along the port side. Aircraft handling tractors and a fork-lift are parked near the island. The Wessex lifts off and takes up its duty station off to port. Sea Vixen FAW.1 463 is directed forward. MS from a position just forward of the wires on the starboard side as a Sea Vixen comes in for a touch and go. MS to the leading edge of the flightdeck as a Sea Vixen takes off after a roller - it is followed by a Buccaneer, air brake extended. MS aft again as a Sea Vixen comes in for a roller. A Buccaneer takes the wire. MS as the Buccaneer retracts the hook, closes air brake and folds wings. Sea Vixen 457 lands on and taxies forward, wings folding. Sequence showing landing trials by two Army Auster AOP.9s (serials WZ 731 and XN 408). Each aircraft overflies the deck and performs a couple of touch and goes before landing on. After landing each aircraft is immediately pushed aft, engine still running, and then makes a free take off. CU of a cameraman with a 16mm Filmo camera. MS from the position just forward of the wires on the starboard side as a Sea Vixen performs a roller, the camera panning to follow the aircraft as it climbs away. MS across the deck to the DLPS. Sea Vixen 461 (XJ 491) comes in to land but misses the wires and goes round to try again - the second landing is successful. Aerial LS from a helicopter crossing left to right across the carrier's bows as Victorious works up to full speed - the funnel emits an impressive cloud of dense black smoke. HA from the island as a Sea Vixen is launched from the port bow catapult. Gannet 420 lands on. Wessex 41 alights aft and is chocked up. Two Gannets are launched from starboard and port catapults, followed by three Sea Vixens. MS of the 801 Squadron badge, a winged trident, painted within the carrier code letter 'V' on the tailfin of a Buccaneer. Sequence showing more of the fleet replenishment - in the distance, HMS Eagle steams with a supply ship (either Retainer or Resurgent), while Victorious has the oiler Tidepool alongside. A second tanker, probably Tidespring, is also present. Ahead of Victorious is a fleet supply ship with a Battle Class radar picket. The Leander Class frigate HMS Ajax refuels from Tidepool at the same time as Victorious. Also at the replenishment point are an Australian Type 12 frigate, probably HMAS Derwent, and a County Class destroyer. Eagle completes her replenishment and makes away from the stores ship - the carrier then executes a sharp turn to starboard to come about on to a reciprocal course. Tidepool recovers her fuel hose. HMS Ajax (F.114) moves away. Tidepool (A.76) withdraws. Air operations resume. HA from the island as a Sea Vixen is launched from the starboard bow catapult. A USN Phantom 208 performs a couple of rollers.

16mm