79 RAF Operational Training Unit Beaufighter gun camera training film

This film is one which I made when completing an Operational Training Course (OUT) on Beaufighter X's at 79 Operational Training Unit RAF Nicosia, Cyprus. It was essentially a low level flying course with adapted engines, radar and rocket armament (May-July 1945). I had earlier completed a forty trips tour with RAF crew flying Wellington X night bombers with 142 Squadron RAF and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). When after the usual rest period I was called on for a second tour of duty I was asked to be assigned to daylight operations which called for a full OTU. When VE day arrived I still had some of the course to complete and by volunteering for South East Asia Command (SEAC) Burma, I avoided repatriation and finished the course. The film shows mock dog fights with other Beaufighter aircraft as well as live 20 mm cannon firing on a moving target at sea.