The Cine Technician (1939)

Oct. -Nov., 1937 THE CINETECHNICIAN 137 In war time a camera gun, mounted on the top plane, was used to record the correctness or otherwise of the pilot's aim. Aim was taken through the normal ,141111 sights and the release cord pulled when the "enemy" craft came into alignment. The camera spool recorded the hits or misses that would have resulted if a Lewis gun had been used. Following up this idea, the camera was attached to a mounting between the top main plane and the engine cowlins: and secured by two leather straps. The camera release was drilled and a length of fine Bowden cable attached. This was led through the cowling to the front cockpit and a ring on the end of the cable wire enabled the camera to be set in motion. In order to stop the camera motion when desired, a very short spring was fitted and with this all difficulty in starting and stopping was obviated. The gun sight was used for sighting and focussing and manipulating the aperture with the left hand ; the right was free for operating. By means of the telephone fitted to the flying helmet communication was maintained and the pilot guided in his course to suit the camera angles. These mountings were entirely successful for photographing all Evolutions. Difficulties don't finish with mountings, for atmospheric conditions are not always favourable. Haze has sometimes proved a bogey, but this too can be greatly overcome by the use of correct filtering. To avoid haze, many cameramen have flown to heights above the clouds, but here, unless one is primarily concerned with cloud effects, over-correction is common, yielding a stormy or muddy effect. But where the aeroplane is the central object care has to be taken to find correct graduation. This again was achieved by special filtering. It has been held that to obtain the finest photography in the air, magnificent and costly cameras mostly of foreign make are necessary, and that the technique from the point of view of the cameraman is only to be found abroad. Once again it can be proved that a simple British camera, and British methods can produce pictures which for clearness and beauty are the equal of any that have vet appeared. These films, which will be used in the training of our future pilots, describe evolutions which many costly feature films have failed to depict and to see them is to feel a great deal of satisfaction with what can be achieved in Britain. Vincent, tailor, of 9 Old Compton Street, will give the boys (and girls) in the Association a discount of 15%. Offer is open for six months only. Remember to put your A.C.T. card in your old suit ! The Film in the U.S.S.R. A Correction Tanar (British) Corporation, Ltd., have written to point out that the Tanar Sound System used in Russia is the Tanar Portable Equipment manufactured in this country and not America as was stated in our article in the previous issue. The equipment is of British design and manufacture, and is extremely simple and efficient. The recording tube, known as the Tanarlight, is the only part manufactured for the British Company in the 17. S. A. The main feature of the equipment is an Adjustable Optical Recording Unit which makes possible the adjustment of sound and picture exposures without altering the polarisation current and percentage of modulation. The sound and picture are recorded in perfect synchronism, on one negative. It is hoped to give further details of the Tanar (British) Equipment in a subsequent issue. IF YOU WANT A CINE CAMERA USE SHAW JONES DAY & NIGHT t NEWMAN SINCLAIR CINE CAMERA HIRE SERVICE EIGHT NEW AND COMPLETE OUTFITS AVAILABLE For List of Equipment see Leaflet enclosed in this issue. 49 Greek St., London, W.I 'Phone: GER. 6716 (Day & Night)