One of the most frequently used Gun cameras of WW II is the Williamson, Air Ministry (AM emblem, only used during the war) G45. These cameras could be placed in the wings of a Spitfier, Hurricane or Typhoon.
It comes in different models (long lens, short lens) and voltages (12V, begin of WWII and 24V, end of WWII and depending of plane.)
This camera was placed in the wings, sometimes replacing a machine gun. The camera was activated by the pilot by pulling the trigger of the firing-system or manually by switching it on.
The camera had different purposes. The footage was not only used as training video or recon video, but also the ACES flew around with these cameras and there the footage is used as prove of confirmed kills.
From the Imperial War Museum in london: "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 as standard on Fighter
Command aircraft (Spitfire and Hurricanes). It was controlled by an
electrical switch operated by the gun-firing pneumatic system.
Post-war, the type continued to be used on RAF fighter aircraft
."
More information:
http://www.historicair.ca/collection/cameras.html
http://warbirdskies.blogspot.be/2009/04/after-couple-of-previous-attempts-i.html
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Video (on 1:01 you see a camera mounted in the wing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv8rFPLN_Fg
Technical details:
Company | Williamson Manufacturing Co Ltd |
Model | G-45 |
Type |
14A/1389, 14A/1390, ... gun camera |
Serial No. |
64514, 40363, ... |
Year |
1939-1955 |
Drive |
12V and 24V |
Filmformat | 16 mm, 25 ft length. |
Negative | 16mm orthochromatic film |
Shutter |
unknown |
Shutter speed | 16, 18 or 20 FPS, depending on the Gun |
Lens | short lens 14A/1398*, extension lens 14A/3362 |
Serial No. | M62526, M14331, ... |
Focus lenght | unknown |
Focus | No |
Diafragm |
unknown |
Light Meter | No |
Rangefinder | No. |