Title:PHOTOGRAPHY - THE EYE OF THE AEROPLANE [Main Title]
Film Number:IWM 873
Other titles:
Summary: The training and methods of the Photographic Section of the RAF, probably just after the First World War.
Description: (Reel 1) Trainees are shown various types of camera, the L-Type, the C-Type, and a recently-introduced camera which uses film instead of plates. They are taught elementary chemistry for developing and fixing plates. Interpreters identify the negative plate of each reconnaissance photograph, using a map, and write in the details of the location on the negative. The latest cameras photograph a number of dials simultaneously with the ground image, giving time, height, etc. To speed up the process prints are dried by passing them through a spirit flame. A run of prints is constructed into a mosaic. The construction of the particular mosaic shown takes 1 hour 55 minutes, producing a picture which covers fifty square miles. Green light is used while the plates or film magazines are loaded. (Reel 2) The skeleton of an aircraft, shows how an L-Type camera is fitted to its side: vibration from the engine is absorbed by mounting the camera on a shock absorber. The method is the same for both plate and film cameras. The observer has a sighting tube which runs down through the floor of the aircraft, which he uses to line up the shot. For a training reconnaissance flight the observer is given his map reference. He and the pilot take off in a Bristol F2B Fighter. In flight, the pilot indicates that they are near the target (in actual operations it is the observer's job to inform the pilot). Back at the aerodrome the plane is met on landing by a runner and the plates taken at once for developing. The same type of operation is shown with a film camera. Again, a member of the groundcrew races to take the film on landing. A photographic developing lorry, for use when other facilities are not available, sets up its equipment. A plane comes in to land. The film ends abruptly.
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Royal Air Force, Photographic Section (regiment/service)
Keywords: training, British air - specialist: photography (object name)
equipment, British air - camera: aerial, L-Type (object name)
equipment, British air - camera: aerial, C-Type (object name)
equipment, British air - camera: aerial reconnaissance (object name)
intelligence, military, British - reconnaissance (object name)
operations, British air - sortie (object name)
operations, British air - return (object name)
transport, British air - truck, special: photographic truck (object name)
equipment, British air - navigational (object name)
aircraft, British - combat: Bristol F2B Fighter (object name)
GB, England (geography)
Instruction (concept)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Silent
Soundtrack language: None
Title language: English
Subtitle language: English
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 2
Footage: 1374 ft; Running time: 22 mins
