Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The K-20 (K20) is an aerial photography camera used during World War II, e.g., from the Enola Gay's tail gunner position of the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima. Designed by Fairchild Camera and Instrument, approximately 15,000 were manufactured under license for military contract by Folmer Graflex Corporation in Rochester, NY between 1941 and 1945. There is a data plate on the top of the camera with contract and manufacturer information:
Farichild
Aviation Corporation
AIRCRAFT CAMERA
41-1076 K-20
This camera was manufactured in 1941 and is offered in very good condition. It comes with an original case, two filters (red, yellow), various accessories and it is marked to Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8).
We do not know if it functions though it does appear to operate normally. The aperture control is definitely still functional, though we have no way to verify the ISO control functionality. Apparently, new film for this camera is still available on the market.
The K-20 uses a 5.25" x 20' to 5.25" x 200' foot Roll Film, with an image size of 4x5 inches. Lenses were 6 3/8" f/4.5 with an adjustable diaphragm and were non interchangeable, these were made by Kodak, Ilex, or Bausch & Lomb, as available at the time of order. This example has an Eastman Kodak marked lens. The camera featured the use of a vacuum to keep the film flat.
Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA). VP-8 is tasked to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The Squadron is equipped with the Boeing P-8A Poseidon.
The squadron was originally established as Patrol Squadron 201 (VP-201) on 1 September 1942, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 201 (VPB-201) on 1 October 1944, redesignated Patrol Squadron 201 (VP-201) on 15 May 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron, Medium Seaplane 1 (VP-MS-1) on 15 November 1946, redesignated Patrol Squadron, Medium Landplane 8 (VP-ML-8) on 5 June 1947 and redesignated Patrol Squadron 8 (VP-8) on 1 September 1948. It is the second squadron to be designated VP-8, the first VP-8 was redesignated VP-24 on 1 July 1939
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