Exercises are carried out in the rescue tank at H.M.S. Vernon's shore base.
Description
Portsmouth, Hampshire.
At the H.M.S. Vernon shore-base we see men preparing for an exercise in the rescue tank. The two men are shut in a container (the Aircrew Underwater Escape Trainer)in the tank to simulate a helicopter crash in the sea; the container starts to fill with water then turns over and the men have to sit patiently until the container is completely upside down, then take a last breath and fight their way out of the container through a window. We see underwater footage of the escape. Two divers are in the tank to help in case of emergency.
In another exercise a man sits in a mock cockpit that is lowered into the water tank; a frogman dives into the water to pull out the 'pilot'. This test was devised to rescue pilots who crash after taking off from an aircraft carrier.
Note: the underwater footage was shot by Southern Television cameraman Slim McDonnell. There is correspondence and cameraman's notes on file. Brief cuts exist - see separate record.
During the 1960s I was one of the Safety Divers on the Dunker and have noticed on your video clip that one of the air crew was one of my best friends and I am wondering if there is anyway of checking your archives in order that I could locate him?
Regards.
thumper71 says
During the 1960s I was one of the Safety Divers on the Dunker and have noticed on your video clip that one of the air crew was one of my best friends and I am wondering if there is anyway of checking your archives in order that I could locate him?
Regards.