THURSDAY'S COMET [Main Title]

Short documentary about RAF Transport Command's regular flights to the Far East narrated by (and starring) Jon Rollason.

Reporter John Rollason, not an RAF man, is booked on a Transport Command Comet to Singapore, and describes his experiences. RAF Lyneham - departure lounge, meeting the crew. Preparations - form-filling, bags checked and loaded, briefing. The flight itself. First stopover - Bahrain; street scenes, meeting with John Churchill, RAF pilot of a Beverley transport. Rejoining the Comet, and on to Aden - harbour and street scenes. He takes a trip from RAF Khormaksar over the Radfan mountains to meet troops guarding the border. Next stop for the Comet is Gan, in the Maldives - RAF post, fishing, wet weather. Comet's final destination, Singapore - RAF Changi, street scenes, Bugis Street. Trip in an Argosy to Hong Kong - aerial scenes, junks. On to Sarawak, North Borneo, by Whirlwind helicopter - dyaks in their long houses, scenes of RAF routine and preparation for para-drop at Carfax Platoon HQ. The para-drop itself, by troops of 55 Company RASC (Air Dispatch); Hastings, with Javelin fighter escort, delivers to front line. Back to base. Flying home in Bristol Britannia, Rollason sums up his experiences.

16mm