AIR ROAD TO MANDALAY - RAF LIBERATORS OF STRATEGIC AIR FORCE, EASTERN AIR COMMAND [Allocated Title]

Scenes of RAF Liberator heavy bomber operations over Burma.

RAF Consolidated Liberator heavy bombers of RAF 99 Squadron at dispersal with local labourers passing in the foreground. Bomb train being towed by a tractor with ground crew riding astride the bombs. Airman standing on tailplane working on port fin. Fitter reaching inside an engine cowling. A (probably 1000-lb Medium Capacity) bomb is rolled along the ground. An armourer works on one of a Liberator's two waist guns. Cut back to man on tailplane. Bombs hoisted into a Liberator's bomb bay. Airmen board a lorry and a number of lorries drive off. Aircrew are briefed by Wing Commander Ercolani, the squadron commander. Men talking amongst themselves with Liberators in the background. One pilot wearing 'Australia' shoulder flash. Aircrew boarding their aircraft. Officer fires a Very pistol to signal the start of the operation. Engines starting up. 'Australia' flash seen again, this time on ground crew. Liberators starting up and propellors spinning. Rear-quarter angle of Liberator kicking up dust. Liberators taxiing before taking off. Airborne footage. View directly below the aircraft. Air-to-air footage with some fine views of Liberators in flight. Pilot with 'Australia' shoulder flash at controls of the aircraft. An air gunner eats a sandwich (the dopesheet remarks 'Long flights from base don't help to curtail the appetite'). Air-to-air footage of aircraft in flight. Aerial view of city below. Bombs falling away from the aircraft. Liberator interior - gunner climbs out of ventral ball turret before using a lever to retract the turret into the fuselage. Six Liberators in flight.

35mm