Description

RAF WWII Spitfire Aircraft G45 Gun Camera.

RAF WWII SPITFIRE AIRCRAFT G45 GUN CAMERA.
The G45 gun camera was used throughout WWII by British fighter units and armament schools from 1939 onwards (including by the RNZAF). It was designed and manufactured by the Williamson company of London and Reading and was developed from the G42B. It used 16 mm orthochromatic film supplied in 25 ft lengths with a frame speed of 16, 18 or 20 per second, these corresponding to the rates of fire of the Lewis, Vickers K and Browning machine guns. The G45 was fitted in the wing as standard on Fighter Command aircraft (Spitfire and Hurricanes). It was controlled by an electrical switch operated by the gun-firing pneumatic system.
On this camera, the side panel states: Camera Type G.45 24 Volts Ref. No. 14A/1390*. AM, Serial No. 31611, Williamson Mfg. Co. Ltd. London & Reading.
Lens has following: Short Lens Type G.45 Ref. No. 14 A/1399* AM Serial No. M22549″ and is painted black. Reference number of “14” was used by Air Ministry for all aircraft photographic equipment. Lens has heater element installed (this can be removed by pulling out after removing glass cover).
On top is a formica plate with “24 Volts” written on it.
Film magazine included which states “Magazine Type G45 Ref. No. 14a/1393 Serial No. 119502 Williamson Mfg. Co. Ltd. London & Reading”.
The film magazine can be placed in two different ways, on top and on the side of the camera. On the side door is “Ref. No. 14A/1441″ visible and on the top port ” Ref. No. 14A/1392*”.
See nice film images on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv8rFPLN_Fg
At about 1 minute in the film, the camera is placed in the left wing of a Spitfire.