DEMONSTRATION BY RAF HARRIER ONBOARD HMS BULWARK [Allocated Title]

Three apparently unrelated sequences: (i) NATO ships at sea. (ii) Demonstration by a RAF Harrier GR Mk 1 onboard the commando carrier HMS Bulwark. (iii) Fairey Gannets of 849 Squadron D Flight operating off HMS Eagle.

I. Aerial sequence. Camera-helicopter passes HMS Fife (D.20). Out of focus LSs of a British Leander. Brief shots of frigate Isaac Sweers (814), a German Hamburg Class destroyer, and the American guided missile destroyer USS Semmes (18).

II. Two Wessex HU.5 troop carrying helicopters of 846 Squadron sweep in low over rough ground. Wessex V hovers. Wessex P alights near a red marker flag spread out on the ground.

III. LS across deck of HMS Bulwark - Wessex helicopters are parked along the port side, transport is assembled on the other, while in between stands a large crowd of men. The camera pans left to pick up the object of their interest - a Harrier GR Mk 1, XV 758, equipped with underwing drop tanks and rocket pods, which descends to alight near the camera. LS of the Harrier flying off, climbing into a turn.

IV. Onboard HMS Eagle. Gannet COD.4 074 (possibly XA 430) of 849 Squadron, D Flight, runs up and straightens wings. Planeguard is a Wessex. A lift driver brings up a dolly to help position 074's nosewheel for the bow catapult. The shuttle is retracted and the aircraft stropped up. The FDO signals and 074 is launched. MS as Gannet AEW.3 070 is launched from the waist catapult. LS-MS aft as AEW.3 072, serial XP 225, lands on. MS through open hatchway into 072's rear cabin where one of the radar plotters sits in front of PPI displays. CU of the Gannet's twin propellers - one engine has been shut off and the other is running down. LA to pilot in the opened cockpit.

16mm