Whatever happened too TV live fire exercises...

[You want it when?]

In late 60s'/early 70's I recall watching on TV live fire exercises, normally with various RAF types coming screaming down and shooting up wooden posts or barges. I'm certain that Raymond Baxter used to commentate on them.

Now is my memory playing tricks on me? Were these really shown on normal TV, and will we ever see the like of them again?

[Gainesy]

That was a BBC 1 programme, shot live at RAF Wittering, one summer evening, can't remember the name but Raymond Baxter hosted it. Must have been about 1974-75. Started with a 4-Vulcan scramble and included an Operational turnround of a pair of Phantoms. Had Jags dropping live on tanks trucks etc an Salisbury Plain and Harriers shooting 68mm SNEB rockets at other targets. Caused chaos at Wittering for about a week leading up to it. I'd love to have a copy of it if there was one made.

Sudden thought "Air Power" or something similar?

[Sultan Ismail]

Live action TV

There was a series of programmes in the late '60's showing the 3 services in action, commentated by Raymond Baxter.

As I recollect the Army programme included blowing up a railway line as a steam locomotive and train came along. RB waxed eloquently on the imminent demise of this engine, only to see it jump the hole in the tracks and descend the embankment majestically with whistle blowing and steam hissing out from every valve.

Magnificent stuff, the waggons stayed on the track.

The Navy programme was based on a destroyer somewhere in the Channel, and consisted mainly of shots of the deep wake. Must have been something else, but as I have never been and never will be a sailor, that programme left me cold.

The last programme with the RAF had a segment where the TV cameras were in the body of a Blackburn Beverley, with the doors off. At one stage a squad of paratroopers jumped out and a bit later another aircraft formated on the Beverley.

It was all in black and white, and live.

Must have been '65 to '68.


Sultan Ismail

[Iron City]

Believe they just had one in Iraq. In living color. What more could you want, live fire wise?