In this clip from the NHK collection, dated August 18, 1942, a Mitsubishi G4M is taking off from Rabaul on a photographic mission, showing the whole process.
Some interesting stills:
Note that none of the "Betty" crew members wears any parachute or life vest.
During an interview with a "Betty" pilot that flew around the same time and in the same area, the veteran explained to us that they almost never wore any parachutes because the majority of the missions they flew were from a low altitude and they wouldn't have the necessary time or altitude to deploy parachutes if they jumped out of their bomber. Furthermore, there were never enough parachutes and in any case, when they encountered enemy fighters and couldn't escape they prefered to make emergency alightments (land on water) and they swim to safety than jump from high altitudes, risking getting shot at. Yes, surprising as it may sound to some, that happened.
In this still we can clearly see that the "Betty" is a G4M1 Model 11. The frame of the side window also indicates that the particular aircraft has a serial number higher than s/n#123, from when this new side window frame was adopted.
As we can see Tonavumbatur (known to the Japanese as "Aneyama") and Tavurvur ("Hanabukiyama") on the left and the edge of the airfield is right by the sea, then I can say that the airfield is Rapopo, which mostly IJAAF bomber units operated from. I'm pretty sure some of you will dissagree, so feel free to leave a comment and correct or confirm me.
Here's the bombardier taking aim with a Navy Type 90 Bombsight in order to guide and bring the aircraft over the target. When he raises his hand he signals the camera operator to take photos.
I believe that in this frame the same bombardier is telling to pilot to make one more pass over the target area.
In this rather dark still, we can see the camera operator loading a fresh film/plate on his Navy Fixed Aerial Camera K-8 type.
The Fixed Aerial Camera K-8 type (固定式航空写真機K-8型) was made for the Japanese Navy by Rokuoh-sha, later Konishiroku. It was a copy of the Fairchild K-8, of which some examples were bought before the outbreak of the Pacific War.
The camera takes 18×24cm pictures on film rolls 24cm wide and 24m long, allowing for 100 exposures and loaded in interchangeable magazine backs. It is equipped with a leaf shutter. The camera is remotely controlled and needs 12V electrical power supply.
The camera was available in two main versions, differing by the lens unit. One has a 50cm f/5 lens (presumably a Hexar) and 1/50 to 1/100 speeds, for vertical pictures taken at altitudes from 20,000 to 30,000 feet. The other has a Perigon 25cm f/4.5 and 1/50 to 1/150 speeds, for use at altitudes from 13,000 to 23,000 feet. (The name Perigon certainly indicates that this is a wide field lens.) Both versions were used in the C6N Saiun (Myrt) reconnaissance plane. A special mount grouping together three 25cm K-8 at vertical and oblique angles was tested but apparently not operationally used.
The complete 50cm K-8 set consists of the main camera with lens unit and film magazine, two spare magazines, two intervalometers, an optical sight and a repair kit. Various outfits are pictured in the 1945 American report cited above, and a 25cm K-8 with Perigon lens and airframe mount is displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
What could the big "tube" like thing on his left side be?
In these illustrations from FAOW#59, we can see the special window that only G4M1s had for photographic missions and we can visualize where the camera operator squeezed in to take photos; under the cockpit. The bombardier's window is not shown in the top G4M1 illustration but it is shown in the lower G4M2 illustration.
Would you like to check if your G4M1 kit, especially the latest from Sword has the photo window?
I'm not 100% sure but I strongly suspect this part of the film is from stock footage since the cameraman was sitting in the front end of the "Betty" with the bombardier and the camera operator. Nevertheless an interesting view of the cockpit.
This is most probably the darkroom in Rabaul where the film was developed.
日本語読める人、ドアの表札に何て書いてあるかな？〇〇暗室？
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