Ferry pilot (TF568)

A Crown Film Unit production on the work of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). The ATA was a civilian air force of men and women from Britain, the Commonwealth and other countries including the USA. The ATA pilots were responsible for the ferrying of all types of aircraft from factories, maintenance depots and operational RAF aerodromes. The film is a dramatized account featuring pilots and ground staff of 15 Ferry Pool ATA. Shows how pilots are assigned to aircraft. Avro Ansons aircraft carry ou the role of an aerial bus service dropping off ATA pilots at factories, RAF airfields etc. The various aircraft types ferried by the ATA - includes Spitfires fighters, Lysander Army co-operation aircraft, Miles trainers, Wellington and Whitley bombers. To illustrate the hazards encountered by the ATA the film climaxes in a fictional attack by German Me-110 fighter on a Whitley bomber crewed by two ATA pilots.