RFC/RAF Sight Recording Cameras

[Robert Hurst]

Hi

Camera guns have been used as a gunnery training aid since the 1914-18 war, when in 1916 a sight recording camera was designed at the RFC machine gun school at Hythe in Kent. This camera gun, made by the Thornton Pickard Co. of Altrincham, was similar in shape and weight to the Lewis gun. It proved to be very successful in assessing the standard of gunnery in the air. Known as the Hythe Gun Camera Mk III, it took still exposures on a 120 mm film roll. Provision was made for a multi-ring graticule and the time of exposure. The trigger, cocking action and balance were all identical to the Lewis, and a drum magazine was clipped into place. It was used mainly on Scarff ring mounts, but was also fitted onto the top wings of fighter aircraft, controlled by a Bowden cable.

The Hythe was used for gunnery training until the Williamson camera gun was adopted in 1934. The Williamson G22 fixed gun camera was fitted onto the upper surface of the wing, and each still exposure was 'fired' from the spade grip of the pilot's control column. For observers' use the camera was mounted on a replica Lewis gun with the usual spade and pistol grip. The still photographs taken gave a good enough record of performance, but the next model to be adopted was to provide a cine-film record, giving an improved assessment of a pilot's aim. This was the Williamson G42B, which could be mounted in the leading edge of the thicker wing sections of aircraft then coming into service.

The above text and photos were taken from "British Aircraft Armament Vol.2: Guns and Gunsights", by R Wallace Clarke.

Regards

Bob

[Robert Hurst]

Hi

The G45 Camera Gun - Pt I

In July 1939 the G45 camera gun was issued to armament schools and fighter units. Designed and manufactured by the Williamson Co. of London and Reading, it was developed from the earlier G42B which had been in service for some years. The G45 used 16 mm Orthochromatic film supplied in 7.62 m (25 ft) lengths. Frame speeds could be regulated to 16, 18 or 20 per second, these speeds corresponding to the rates of fire of the Lewis, Vickers K and Browning. It was supplied in two versions, the fixed gun type with a short lens unit, and a long lens for other use. Williamson also supplied a replica Vickers K gun, the Type 29, with a camera mount and reflector sight bracket.

The above text and photos were taken fron from "British Aircraft Armament Vol.2: Guns and Gunsights", by R Wallace Clarke.

Regards

Bob

[Robert Hurst]

Hi

The G45 Gun Camera - Pt 2

The G45 proved to be an essential aid to aerial gunnery, enabling a trainee to be shown the results of his 'shooting' after an exercise and be advised on any improvements needed. A footage recorder was provided in the cockpit or turret, wired from contacts in the camera. In the centre of the recorder was a 'sunny or cloudy' switch wired to the aperture of the camera. Early problems with condensation and moisture were eased when heating elements were fitted to the lens and camera body, although they were never fully overcome. The G45 was fitted as standard on Fighter Command aircraft, but, mounted in the leading edge close to the guns, the vibration affected the film clarity. It was controlled by an electrical switch operated by the gun-firing pneumatic system, or from the turret electrical firing unit. The film was loaded into a cassette, which could be inserted either from the top or side of the housing. The G45 was one of the most practical means of weapon aiming training, and the gun camera hut in gunnery training schools was in constant use. A purpose-made cine-projector made by Specto Ltd of Windsor was used to show films. It could show frame stills or slow motion shots of the trainees' performance.

The above text and photos were taken from "British Aircraft Armament Vol.2: Guns and Gunsights", by R Wallace Clarke.

Regards

Bob