BBC 'Home-Movie' FAA Sea-Hornet, Attacker & Skyraiders, 1952

–

Just watched a BBC.2 broadcast programme which (interestingly) featured a National Serviceman’s ‘home-movie’ footage taken in 1952 aboard HMS Eagle.

Fascinating stuff if ya wanna see some Supermarine Attackers, (Griffon) Fairey Fireflies, de-Havilland Sea Hornets & (R.N.) Douglas Skyraiders in action, albeit via some chap’s “hand-held” old Black & White cine-camera !

Curiously, the ‘BBC iPlayer’ screened version (re-run) isn’t quite the same format/layout as I just saw….(?)

On the BBC i-Player (which I’ll post a link to), Dan Cruickshank is seen interviewing the chap who shot the movie, as a youngster, during his National-Service era.

Whereas, the T.V. broadcast I saw, showed the footage in more complete & un-interrupted form, with Edward Elgar’s “Nimrod” as the backing music, with no chatter (BBC.2).

When you watch the iPlayer version, I’d suggest viewing the footage shown between the 15:54 – till – 18:45 bracket.

The initial footage that’ll probably be of interest, is the de-Havilland Sea Hornet shown landing on deck at the 16:38 part of the film.

The Supermarine Attacker action is pretty fast & furious & of interest is the ‘landing’ of a Fleet Air Arm Douglas Skyraider which ends up on it’s belly at 17:34

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tj79t/Home_Movie_Roadshow_Episode_3/

Like I said, the BBC.2 screening showed a little more & with more ‘continuity’

Watch out for a re-run….. it’s Episode 3 (of 4) & is near the start on the T.V. transmitted version.

–