This is a surprisingly frank and detailed dramatised account of training Fleet Air Arm pilots during World War II. Made in 1942 and released March 1943, it is filmed “on location” in the training rooms, simulators, lecture theatres – and cockpits – used at the time to turn trainees into qualified fighter pilots.
FAA training was conducted using Sea Hurricanes, which by this time were being replaced by Seafire IIs and Marlet IVs.
Unexpectedly, the effort was made by the producers to capture air-to-air training manoeuvres – such as deflection shooting – to put the relevance of otherwise “dry” training charts, diagrams and tables into context.
This resulted in some nice footage of Sea Hurricanes in flight.
Pilots would undergo conversion to more modern Seafires and Corsairs before becoming operational.
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Trust me to tune into this just before I have to go to work …. aaaargg
I know it's the Senior Service, but it does feel a bit odd seeing pilots training in double breasted coats.
41:25 ..EeeeK! was that a vampire ? Yes, That's the RAF for you. LOL ! Seriously, fantastic to see the hurricanes flying.
Excellent!
Absolutely excellent find, thank you very much!
What a nice and clear reproduction. I've gained additional insights into training methods of the time. A valuable slice of history, this. Thanks!😊
The extreme levels of RP always make me wince. I wonder if they all really did speak like that or was it just for the films?
Nice Hurricane start up refresher a couple of minutes in
7:05 ,10:20 &10:43 P3020 "W4C" 08:30 W7421 "W2D" 11:15 & 37:48 W9219 "W8A" 22:05 & 25:42 V7421 "W2D" 41:55 Z4927 "J".
I think these Sea Hurricane Mk.IBs were from No.759/760Sqn at RNAS Yeovilton ,but "W1_" to "W8_" codes were used by squadrons at RNAS Piarco(HMS Goshawk) ,Trinidad. Usually Yeovilton squadrons used "Y1_" to "Y9_". Why?
Not as simple flying aircraft as jumping into a car.
Yeovilton?
Hello "O for Orange". You are fired!
Out.
These must be Sea Hurricane Mk IAs (Hurricats) or even Mark I Hurricanes turned over from the RAF for training. I don't see arrestor hooks on any of them.
O for orange….Cherio and good riddance!
Orange’s superiors have no sense of humour.
✨🏴✨🥰✨👍✨♥️✨🤗✨.
Thanks!
Great to see this!. My father was an FAA pilot, trained at The Empire Air Training School in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. After learning how to fly on and off carriers, where does the Navy post him?. To North Africa ( Algeria).
Great video