Thorton-Pickard Hythe Gun Camera MK3

Roundabout via mpopenker

 

 

Ignomini

 Designed to emulate a Lewis machine gun, the Hythe camera was used as a training tool for aerial gunners. In wartime, 120 roll film was much cheaper (and safer) than live .303 ammo. The "gun's" controls are comparable to an actual Lewis gun, but the charging handle advances the film and cocks the shutter. The trigger fires the shutter. The simple fixed focus, aperture and shutter speed were intended to judge a gunner's aiming skills, not take a pretty picture. Although purely a camera, it uses an actu al functioning Lewis gun magazine. Presumably, this was to give the gunners practice at changing magazines, as its presence was not required to operate the camera. A Japanese copy of the camera omitted the magazine.