RAF WW2 Camera Systems
Main RAF Photographic Reconnaissance
Camera Systems




F8 camera

F8 Camera

High altitude daytime survey camera. It could be fitted with 20in, 36in or 40in lenses.

Camera Details:
8.25 inches x 7 inches image
Shutter: focal plane with three interchangeable blinds.
A magazine of 250 exposures was fitted.


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F24 Camera

The F24 camera was the main air reconnaissance camera at the start of World War 2. However, by the end of 1941 it was clear that the F24 camera with its small 5" x 5" format and short focal length lens (only 20") that this was too small for detailed photo interpretation, especially as the camera-carrying aircraft were then having to fly much higher.

The F-24 Camera was later built and used by the USAAF as the K-24 it used Roll film.

Camera Details:
5"x5" image
Shutter: Cloth focal plane.
Lens: Aero-Ektar 178mm f/2.5.
Camera weight was 21 pounds.

F24 Camera on display

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F52 Camera
F52 Camera

The F52 camera is similar to the F24 camera differing primarily in that the F52 is used for high altitude daytime reconnaissance and has a large format, larger film magazine and lenses with longer focal length.

Camera Details:
8.5 inches x 7 inch image.
Shutter: Focal plane with interchangeable blinds.
Lenses: 14 inch, 20 inch & 36 inch.
Magazine: 500 exposures.
Weight (camera complete with loaded magazine):
Mk1 74.5 pounds, Mk3 84.5 pounds & Mk6 57.5 pounds.

Fitted in both Spitfires and Mosquito PR Aircraft. Post WW2 fitted in Canberra PR aircraft.




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Ground crew showing F24 and F52 Cameras Fitting a F24 Camera to a Spitfire

Ground crew displaying 3 F24 and 2 F52 Cameras

Fitting a F-8 camera into a Spitfire PR 1G