FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0390.PDF
JUNE 9, 1921 THE " L.B." AERO-CAMERA IT may not perhaps be necessary for us to dwell at length Realising that the " L.B." model will, no doubt be usedon how important a part aerial photography played in the by many who have had previous experience with the L.. Great War for much has been said already on the subject, type, many features of the latter have been embodied in thein this Journal and elsewhere. A moment's consideration is " L.B.," together with several desirable improvements, all that"is necessary to realise this—to grasp the possibilities The mechanism has been greatly simplified, allowing a-••-•• considerable reduction in the size of the camera body, with a consequent reduc- tion in weight. A very important feature — and one of the improvements on previous models—is the employment of a self-con- tained and easily detach- able self - capping focal plane shutter. This shutter can readily be removed and replaced without disturbing any other part of the mechanism. It is also possible to fit any focus lens from 4 ins. to 20 ins., which was impossible with the earlier models. Other improvements consist of an exterior lever for ad- justing the shutter slit, an instantaneous method of converting from hand to power operation, and the introduction of a ratchet plate changer-further men- tion of which will be made later. In the general design of the " L.B." the unit system A camera that achieved some considerable success in the of construction has been adopted, which units can rigidly be latter stages of the War was the " L.B.," designed by Mr. C. M. connected to the camera body, and very easily and quickly Williamson, C.B.E., head' of the Williamson Kinematograph dismantled without the use of special tools. The camera Co., of Willesden Green, who claim to be the originators of consists of a body of a light aluminium casting, a lens adapter the automatic aero camera. The " L.B. " is the outcome of holding the lens with its mount, plate magazines, Bowden the experience gained from months of tedious experimental lever release, and, as the power unit for automatic plate in obtaining photographic records of objects as viewed from above. One thing, however, is not so apparent —to the layman, at all events—and that is, aerial photography is by no means the simple proposi- tion it would appear to be at first sight, as was ex- perienced during the early stages of its employment for war purposes. It must not be taken we mean that aerial photography presents any great diffi- culties in its accomplish- ment ; what we wish to imply is that it is a science in itself, possessing many technicalities that have had to be solved, more or less by experience, before we could reach the You press the button, and we do the rest " stage. In other words, a special camera must be used for N aerial work—and it must be " special " for successful all-round work. THE WILLIAMSON "L.B." AERO-CAMERA : A general view of the camera, with propeller drive, Bowden release, lens mounts, etc. work, and innumerable tests with various types, one of which, known as the "L." type, was very popular and did PUte changing fever changing, a propeller with flexible shafting (Fig. 1). Three different forms of lens mounts are made, and these are interchangeable on the bayonet fitting on the lower part of the camera body. It is thus possible to fit lenses ranging from 4 ins. to 20 ins. focus, two of the mounts each having a reversible carrier in which the lens is rigidly mounted, giving 4 ins., or 6 ins., and 8 ins. or ioi ins. respectively. Adjustment for focussing is provided in each case. Slit adjustment fork Shutter gear wheel PROPELU3R j. JOURNAL Fiai. THE WILLIAMSON " L.B." AERO-CAMERA : Fig. 1. THE WILLIAMSON " L.B." AERO-CAMERA : Fig. 2. Sketch showing the position of the principal units, Diagram showing the plate changing and shutter adjustments, etc. setting mechanism. much useful work with the R.A.F. With this experience A simple and reliable plate magazine is used, consisting behind them, the Williamson Co. have, in the " L.B.," been of a wooden box, containing 18 plates, mounted in runners able to produce a camera that will successfully fill the require- on the top of the camera, a similar box, mounted on an ments for post-War aerial photographic work. extension at the side of the camera body, for exposed plates, 390
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
