Here´s something you don´t see very often, a Smiths DeLuxe Gun Camera Watch.
The Watch was installed in an RAF "V" Bomber in the late 50´s - mid 60´s

The watch is depicted and described in Konrad Knirims book, British Militars Timepieces, Page 233-235


The "V" bombers comprising of Victor, Vulcan and Valiant. This was during the cold war era and Britain had at least one of the bombers in the air 24/7, carrying nuclear weapons!
The watch was connected to the R88/R110 Radar device, It is understood that the Smiths timer was used in conjunction with the R88 radar camera often fitted to RAF Avro Vulcan Bombers. The R88 camera was mounted on top of the H2S Ground-Mapping Radar display and captured 35mm images from the radar screen


the timepiece measures 63mm x 37mm x 10mm and the casing is made of aluminium, stamped with the Broad Arrow and RAF Stores Reference Number 14A/4290240, beneath which is a is a crossed through Stores Ref. No. 14A/4345. The dial reads "Smiths" and there is an opaque half-moon on the crystal. The caseback is engraved "399480". Inside, under the dust cover the movement is engraved "15 Jewels Made in England C278169".



Tatjana van Vark, a Dutch lady has rebuilt a working example of the whole apparatus, she´s either a genius or stark raving mad!

[*01 Indicator 7921 Radar Altimeter Mk 6
02 Navigation Panel Mk 1b
03 Control Unit 12558
04 Amplifier A 1961M
05 Ground Position Indicator Mk 4
06 Radar Altimeter TR 7923
07 Calculator Type 1
08 Indicator Unit Wind Monitor
09 Control Unit 12580
10 Variable Airspeed Unit Mk 3
11 Camera R 88
12 Forward Throw Indicator
13 Directional Indicator Mk 1
14 Bombing Indicator
15 Control Unit 595
16 Indicator Unit 301 E
17 Control Unit 626
18 Control Unit 585 B
19 Calculator Type 3
20 Calculator Type 2
21 Power Unit 729
22 Calculator Type 5 A
23 Waveform Generator 68 E
24 Junction Box 343
25 Power Unit Mk 2
26 Test Set 502
27 Improvised Flying Spot Scanner
28 Test Set 4769
29 Control Panel 16
30 Control Unit 6223
Not Visible Units:
Wind Unit
Amplifier Unit GPI Mk 4
Control Unit CU (C) 903
Power Division Panel
Resistance Unit Mk 1
Gyro Mk 6
Junction Box 6019
Coordinate Analyzer AUC
Junction Box 6020

Here´is a link to the Works of that Lady...amazing!
Genius
Projects

You always find the amazing and interesting pieces Werner. Congrats on the new find. Nice piece of history. Regards, M

I love pieces like these, you really have to chase after any information on it, as it is scarce.
Have a look at this 15 sec. film sequence of the bombing process, it´s awesome!
Boming sequence

...I´ve just seen this;
Missing items:
1 - Rectifier unit Type CP16
2 - Filmcassettes for R88 / R110 camera
3 - Watch assembly 14A/5102 for R88 / R110 camera
4 - Watch 14A/4345
5 - Calculator Type 7
6 - Remote control unit for Calculator Type 7
7 - Remote control unit, automatic, for Calculator Type 7

Maybe I should help her out?


...and by the way, I´ve just noticed that my watch is THE watch photographed in Konrads book!
Compare the serial number on the back of the watch, how strange, it´s the second watch that I have in my posession, which has been used in his book!...

Regards

Impressive Werner,

Thank you for the post.

Greg