Chisman collection 14: Footage taken in Waziristan, 1937

Overview of RAF activity in policing the Waziristan area in the mid 1930s. Activity around RAF base as planes are prepared for flights involving supply drop and offensive action. (00.0 to 00.41 ) RAF airbase showing company of British soldiers drawn up for inspection by an officer. (00.41 to 01.23) Hangers at airfield with convoy of military lorries which move off led by officers in staff car. (01.24 to 01.50) Vickers Victoria (Troop transporter) aircraft takes off. (01.50 to 02.20) 4 Hawker Fury (biplane fighter aircraft) are parked on airfield and then take off. Air to air shot of one of the aircraft. Air to ground shot of landscape and of military convey moving along road. (02.34 to 03.04) Panning shot from watch tower of military airstrip in flat countryside. Long column of military lorries and armoured car drawn up with troops nearby. RAF aircraft are being serviced. (03.05 to 04.25) Views of British military fortress on plateau surrounded by hills which protect the airstrip. Arrival of Indian troops led by soldiers playing fife and drums. Shots taken from inside fort through the gun openings showing Indian army sentry on watch crouched by his machine gun. (04.28 to 04.47) RAF fighter biplanes parked on the airstrip with local people near perimeter fence. (04.48 to 05.08) 3 RAF officers in uniform stand talking in front of aircraft while inside the fortress, 2 senior RAF officers debrief a flier who has just returned from a mission and is in his flying kit. Maps are consulted and report made down the telephone. (05.08 to 05.34) Officer in uniform gives last minute instructions to RAF crew. Aircraft in the background parked on ground. (05.34 to 06.06) Pilot and air gunner, carrying his machine gun, walk towards their aircraft which is being made ready. Pilot and gunner when they are seated in the plane make themselves ready for the flight. Member of ground crew lies down on the tail plane to assist in the aircraft being turned into the wind for take-off. The aircraft are Hawker Furies including registration number 'K4851'. ( 06.17 to 07.07 ) Air to air shots of flight of Hawker Furies flying in formation with the Himalayas in the background. Aircraft registration number 'K4251' flies along side. Air to ground shots of large town or cantonment possibly Quetta (if so this footage was taken before the 1935 earthquake). (07.08 to 10.15) Air to ground reconnaissance shots of the area around Quetta. Showing settlement and forts perched on hill tops. RAF aircraft appear to have dropped a bomb cluster on one of these forts, and there are puffs of smoke rising up from area. Air to air shots of the aircraft involved in the operation showing 'K4851' again. (10.17 to 10.35) Aircraft lands, met by ground crew. Air gunner walks away carrying his machine gun. (10.36 to 11.36) Biplane with identification number 'J9735' is prepared for action. Ground crew fix parcels to underside of aircraft wings before take-off. (11.40 to 12.20) Vickers Vimy biplane bomber at airstrip where it takes off. (12.29 to 13.02) Air to air shots. Parachutes dropped from distant aircraft on to mountainous ground. (13.02 to 13.50) Circling biplane drops small parachutes of supplies collected by waiting British servicemen. (14.12 to 14.43) On the airfield, a single biplane is being refuelled, watched by local people. (14.52 to 15.12 ) Cigarette break after refuelling and chai wallah serves tea. Creator: Air Commodore Leonard de Ville Chisman