Help identifying RAF reconnaissance camera – Air Ministry 14A series

[BryanSplain]

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired what appears to be a WWII RAF reconnaissance camera marked with an Air Ministry stores reference beginning with 14A.

I contacted the UK National Archives and they recommended reaching out to RAF historians and forums.

I'm hoping someone here might recognize the model or aircraft it was used in.

 

[Wurger]

Welcome to the site , B BryanSplain .

Judging by the images and the data plates I would say that's the Air Ministry Type F.24 aerial camera with the lens of the focal length F= 8" and aperture F/2.9. There should/could also be either a Type 21 hand adaptor with two side handles, or a Type 25 fixed mounting and Type 35 control box and motor drive. It was wide-spread and used with many RAF planes during the WW2 and after the war up to mid of 50' including Avenger, Blenheim, Catalina, Corsair, Halifax, Hellcat, Hudson, Hurricane, Lancaster, Liberator, Lysander, Maryland, Meteor FR.9, Mitchell, Mosquito, Mustang, Spitfire, Stinson, Stirling, Sunderland, Wellington. The cone of the camera seems to be overhauled or repaired by the no. 6 Repair Depot in November 1956 or 1958. So it may suggest that the camera could be used with the RCAF aircraft. The No. 6RD specialized in the repair of North American Harvard trainers as well as Avro Ansons, Liberators and Spitfires for the RCAF and the RAF in 1940 until after the Second World War.

Actually, the camera type should be painted on the doors of the wooden box.