British Pathe

Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

L/S of airmen sat on chairs at the side of an airfield, there are aeroplanes on the field, one taxis past in the background, the men are members of Number 72 Squadron. A man walks into the shot with two puppies on leads, he kneels down and two of the airmen walk...

Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

L/S of airmen sat on chairs at the side of an airfield, there are aeroplanes on the field, one taxis past in the background, the men are members of Number 72 Squadron. A man walks into the shot with two puppies on leads, he kneels down and two of the airmen walk up to the puppies. M/S of the three men sat on the ground, on the left holding the three month old miniature poodle is Flight Sergeant Fred Pittman, the poodle is called 'Sooty'. In the middle is Flight Lieutenant Pete Gooding with three month old Shetland Collie 'Perry'. C/U of Sooty, C/U of Fred with Sooty. M/S of Pete and Perry. M/S of two airmen in chairs, one of them looks up and smiles. M/S of an airman holding a baby alligator, he is Flight Lieutenant 'Timber' Wood, the alligator is the Squadron mascot and his name is Flying Officer Frederick Lionel Bass-Worthington, he is over a foot long now but was only six inches when he joined as a Pilot Officer. Another man strokes Frederick's head, he is Flight Officer Johnny Clegg. C/U of Frederick in Timber's hands, C/U of Timber's face as he holds Frederick up and bares his teeth at him. C/U of Johnny examining Frederick's foot and smiling.

C/U of the siren as it goes off, L/S of all the airmen scrambling, C/U of Timber as he drops Frederick into a fire bucket full of water. C/U of Frederick in the bucket, M/S of the bucket, Frederick's head pops up over the top and looks around. L/S as the men run to their aeroplanes which are Meteor 14's. Various shots of the men getting into their aeroplanes. M/S of Perry sat on the grass watching all the action. C/U of Frederick's head peering out over the top of the bucket. M/S of two pilots in an aeroplane getting ready for take off. M/S of Perry, C/U of a pilot, C/U of Frederick looking over the top of the bucket. M/S as the blocks are removed from the wheels. C/U of Perry with his ears pricked up watching the aeroplanes. M/S as the aircraft move off, C/U of Frederick. L/S as the aeroplanes take off and fly into the distance, M/S of a radar dish revolving, M/S of two aeroplanes taking off. C/U as Frederick jumps out of the bucket. M/S of Perry sat on the grass. M/S of Frederick crawling away into the shadows.