Description
Object description
A training film for fighter pilots. The airborne target, a drogue towed by a tug aircraft, is described, and the procedure to be followed by the fighter pilot when attacking. The various airborne manoeuvres the pilot has to perform during an attack are explained.
Content description
A training film for fighter pilots. The airborne target, a drogue towed by a tug aircraft, is described, and the procedure to be followed by the fighter pilot when attacking. The various airborne manoeuvres the pilot has to perform during an attack are explained.
Film opens with a drogue used as a target for air to air fighter training. The white fabric drogue is twenty feet long, and has bullet holes coloured by the impact of bullets whose tips have been painted pre flight with a colour unique to each pilot. Thus the number/colour of bullet holes permits a score to be made for the pilot.
"The firing range": The drogue is towed at 120 miles per hour (m.p.h.) and a height of 200 feet over a course parallel to the coast, and for safety reasons the pilot always fires out to sea.
"Safety regulations": Pilots must read the orders of the day before departure; once airborne permission to fire must always be obtained – by coloured Aldis lamp – from the towing aircraft. A series of commands are conveyed to the pilot by different coloured lights from Aldis lamp.
"Plan of attack": Positioning for the attack is made at about 200 m.p.h., parallel to the towing aircraft, about 600 feet apart. The attack commences as the pilot flies the 'curve of pursuit' (explained) to position his aircraft, having first determined his range, line of sight and the necessary deflection. The narrator explains with an animated diagram the manoeuvres required before an attack may be made. The order 'break away' to commence the attack is explained.
"Procedure": Cut to pilots cockpit (on the ground). He checks the gun safety catch is engaged, the air pressure to activate the guns, cine-camera gun switched on, reflector sight switched on. The pilot signs form 700 in the office, returns to his spitfire, and takes off.
"Cine camera-gun shots": Cut to the 35 mm gun camera, not 16 mm as employed as in normal flying conditions. The larger film format provides images with greater detail to assist the gunnery instructor's assessment of the pilot's performance. The allowance for the all important deflection may have been insufficient; additional flights are required for the pilot to gain experience and improve his score. (of bullets hitting the drogue). The use of the reflector gun sight is demonstrated.
"Some examples of good shooting": The 35mm camera gun film presents a series of clips depicting attacks on the drogue, the narrator indicating why the attacks have been successful.
Film closes as the Spitfire formats to the towing aircraft, gives the appropriate signal, and pulls away to return to base.