Coastal Command Low Level Strike Camera Mirror Attachment? (3 Viewers)

[Old MacDonald]

Do you have any information on the RAF Coastal Command's strike camera mirror attachment for taking photos directly aft of the aircraft during low level submarine attacks?

The Liberator IIIs and later had a standard B-24 fold-down camera mount just aft of the rear crew entry hatch, but it was intended for vertical strike photos from high altitude. Various cameras could be attached to this mount, including the F-24/K-24, which was the fairly standard unit for strike photography. Since the camera sat in a vertical orientation (90° object plane), a mirror attachment was devised to point directly behind and slightly below the plane to record the results of low level submarine attacks.

I also wonder whether the US Navy used this or a similar device on their PB4Y-1s, which in the Atlantic flew antisub missions similar to Coastal Command, and PB4Y-2s later in the war conducted low level attacks on many target types.

Any information on this device will help. I know it existed, but cannot find pictorial or textual information about it.

Thanks in advance.

Ol' Mac

 

[Snautzer01]

Perhaps here B-25 strike cameras

 

[WATU]

TNA AIR65/1 is "F.24 5" and 8" mirror camera". Nov 1942. CCDU report likely to have images.

 

[Old MacDonald]

Perhaps here B-25 strike cameras

This is really interesting, particularly the fact so many variations of the rearward-facing mirror were flown on the B-25. The F-24/K-24 camera mount on the Liberator was quite different from the B-25 variations listed on that thread, so at this point the jury's still out on whether any of these were the same as the Lib fitment. Good material for additional research, though!

TNA AIR65/1 is "F.24 5" and 8" mirror camera". Nov 1942. CCDU report likely to have images.

Hey WATU: This looks like a really useful source. I understand the TNA filing reference, but what does "CCDU" stand for? Also, what's the best way to get a copy of this report and attached images? I've heard TNA does not allow scanners but it may be OK to take still photos of their images. I'm unable to visit TNA myself, so hopefully can find some other way to get this info. THANKS MUCH for this lead!

Ol' Mac

 

[WATU]

This is really interesting, particularly the fact so many variations of the rearward-facing mirror were flown on the B-25. The F-24/K-24 camera mount on the Liberator was quite different from the B-25 variations listed on that thread, so at this point the jury's still out on whether any of these were the same as the Lib fitment. Good material for additional research, though!


Hey WATU: This looks like a really useful source. I understand the TNA filing reference, but what does "CCDU" stand for? Also, what's the best way to get a copy of this report and attached images? I've heard TNA does not allow scanners but it may be OK to take still photos of their images. I'm unable to visit TNA myself, so hopefully can find some other way to get this info. THANKS MUCH for this lead!

Ol' Mac

Hi
You can take photos at TNA and they have camera stands but I have never used one. I think you are right that scanners are not allowed. TNA will do copies but at a cost. I can PM you a little later the details of a researcher I use for photographing files.
CCDU is Coastal Command Development Unit. The unit undertook trials for new equipment and flew a wide range of aircraft.
Coastal had a vital interest in good photographs of attacks on U-boats to allow full analysis of where depth charges landed relative to the U-boat. Crew visual estimates tended to be well-meaning but inaccurate with estimates generally being too optimistic.
Paul

 

[Old MacDonald]

Hi
You can take photos at TNA and they have camera stands but I have never used one. I think you are right that scanners are not allowed. TNA will do copies but at a cost. I can PM you a little later the details of a researcher I use for photographing files.
CCDU is Coastal Command Development Unit. The unit undertook trials for new equipment and flew a wide range of aircraft.
Coastal had a vital interest in good photographs of attacks on U-boats to allow full analysis of where depth charges landed relative to the U-boat. Crew visual estimates tended to be well-meaning but inaccurate with estimates generally being too optimistic.
Paul

Hi Paul

VERY helpful! I've responded to your PM, and again my thanks for all your help.

Ol' Mac