Chipmunk Recce Fit
BEagle
The front seat observer had twoNikon F3 camera bodies, each with motor-drive, one fitted with a 180mm lens,and the other with a 500mm mirror lens. In addition, a 1000mm lens was carried, plus a large bag of films. The pilot in the back seat put the left wing onto the target and went round in circles around the target whilst the observer took as many shots as were required, changing film and/or camera body/lens also as required. When finished, pilot flew to next target, briefing en route whilst observer changed and wrote film number and ASA on each exposed film. Sorties generally were over 2 hours and, from my limited experience, the observer came back absolutely knackered, sweaty and clutching sick bags from the effects of looking down a 500/1000mm tube whilst going round in tight circles. The regular pilot and observer crew certainly earned their flying pay.