[ CAMERA | TOPIA ] Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A

 
Fighter pilots tended to make exaggerated claims of successful shoot downs of enemy aircraft, both due
to misinterpretation of the actual action and due to overinflated egos. To record the pilot’s actual suc-
cess (or lack thereof) in shooting down a target, cameras were installed. These machine gun cameras
were synchronised with the nose-mounted machine gun.
The Gun Sight Aiming Point (GSAP) 16mm motion picture camera AN-N6 was designed by Bell &
Howell for use in U.S. World War II fighter planes. It was based on their commercial 16mm design. In
order to increase production to meet demand, the manufacture of the camera was licenced to a range of
companies (Table 1).1 The GSAP saw service in the USAAF (later USAF) and the USN from 1940
through the Korean War. It was installed in a wide array of fighter and bomber aircraft including the P-
38, P-40, P-51, B-17, B-25, B-29, etc. This camera is responsible for a vast amount, if not the majority
of, the gun camera footage we now see in WW II and Korean War documentaries.
By 1944 camera production had exceeded demand and a number of AN-N6 units were converted
into hand-held cine cameras.2 After World War II many of these were sold off as surplus and frequently
converted to civilian use.
The GSAP camera measures 7 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches. It was commonly fitted with the Wollensak Type-
V 1 3/8 in. (35mm) f/3.5 variable aperture lens. Also known is the use of the Bell & Howell Ansix
Type-V 35mm f/3.5 and the Kodak Anastigmat 35mm f/3.5 lenses. A Kodak Anastigmat 76mm f/4.5
or a Bell & Howell Tele-Type-V 76.2mm f/4.5 was installed in the later, handheld units. The lenses
were held in a lens mount that could be readily unscrewed from the cine camera itself (Figure 15–Figure
16). The cage-like mount also provided protection for the aperture ring preventing accidental move-
ment.
The 16mm film was loaded in 5 x 3 inch metal cassettes containing 50 ft. of standard 16mm motion
picture film. The cassettes were pre-loaded with B&W or colour negative film, supplied by Eastman
Kodak Company, Rochester, NY.
The film pressure plate is a sheet of glass with an etched cross-hair, ensuring that the resulting image
shows the target accurately. The film transport was a variable speed electric motor drive, 16 (normal
speed) to 64 (slow motion) frames per second, powered via connecting cable from the aircraft’s DC
power grid. The camera was activated with a solenoid switch connected to gun trigger mechanism, rout-
ed through an intervalometer, usually set to activate the camera for 5 seconds each time the gun was
fired.
The units were installed with erector assemblies to ensure overall alignment and then regularly bore-
sight calibrated with special equipment.3
This document, which provides a photographic documentation of the Bell & Howell Type AN N-
6A camera fitted with Wollensak Type-V 1 3/8inch (35mm) f/3.5 lens, forms part of a broader assess-
ment of specialised cameras and photographic equipment of the World War II and Cold War eras.4

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>
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Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A 2
Table 1. Overview of various units of the Gun Sight Aiming Point 16mm motion picture camera.5
Year Model Specs M'F'R'S. Serial Order Lens
DWG. No
Bell & Howell, Chicago, Ill.
1942 USAAF 24 V 75-180 153-M-AC 42-102906 W33W-535-AC-28135 B & H Ansix Type-V 35mm f/3.5
1942 USAAF 24 V 75-180 153-M-AC 42-103714 W33W-535-AC-28135 B & H Ansix Type-V 35mm f/3.5
1942 USAAF 24 V 75-180 153-M-AC 42-104795 W33W-535-AC-28135
1942 USAAF 24 V 75-180 153-M-AC 42-105072 W33W-535-AC-28135 B & H Ansix Type-V 35mm f/3.5
1942 75-180-A 153-M-AC 42-92863 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
1942 N-4A USN 5842 B & H Ansix Type-V 35mm f/3.5
N-4A USN 19008 Fairchild 35mm f/3.5
1943 AN-N4A USN 35516 B & H Ansix Type-V 35mm f/3.5
AN-N4A USN 40803
AN-N6A USN 48690 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
AN-N6A USN 62391 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
M-4A 304101 B & H Telete Type-V 76.2mm f/4.5
Fairchild Aviation Corporation NY
1941 USN 24V 31136 C334-C1 25862 NXs-LL-7419
1941 USN 24V 31136 C334-C1 41-1406 82862 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
1941 USAAF 24V 31136 C334-C1 41-0960 W535 ac-20276 Kodak 76mm f/4.5
1942 75-180-A C334-C1 42-776111 W535 ac-27395 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
1942 USN 24V 31156 C334-C1 42–1869 NXs-LL-7419 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
1944 AN-N6 USAAF 24V 75-366 E334-BF4 44-30078 W33-038ac-2422
1944 AN-N6 USAAF 24V 75-366 E334-BF4 44-44432 W33-038ac-2422 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
The Lackner Co, Cincinnatti, OH
N-6 USAAF 24V 31353 C334–BB1 AC44–50516 W33-038ac-1631 B & L Type V 35mm f/3.5
AN-N6 75-366 E334-BF4 W33-038ac-2424 B & H Ansix Type-V 35mm f/3.5
AN-N6 75-366 E334-BF4 45-55946 W33-038ac-2424 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
AN-N6 USAAF 24V 75-366 E334-BF4 45-67077 W33-038ac-2424 Kodak Anastigmat 35mm f/3.5
AN-N6 USAAF 24V 75-366 E334-BF4 45-69990 W33-038ac-2424 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
AN-N6 USAAF 24V 75-366 E334-BF4 45-70611 W33-038ac-2424 Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
Gordon Enterprises, North Hollywood, CA
USN Wollensak Type V 35mm f/3.5
Morse Instrument Co. Hudson, Ohio
1944 N-6 USAAF 24V 31353 C344-8F0 44-xxxx W35-038xx Kodak Anastigmat 35mm f/3.5
Notes: B&H—Bell & Howell; B&L—Bausch & Lomb

Figure 1. Figure 2.

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>
 
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Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A 3

Figure 3. Figure 4.

Figure 5. Figure 6.

Figure 7. Figure 8.

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>
 
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Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A 4

Figure 9. Figure 10.

Figure 11. Figure 12.

Figure 13. Figure 14.

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>
 
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Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A 5

Figure 15. Figure 16.

Figure 17. Figure 18.

Figure 19. Figure 20.

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>
 
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Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A 6
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015f). Photographic Walk-
Preferred Citation Around of a bore sight calibration kit for a Gun
Sight Aiming Point (GSAP) 16mm Camera
Spennemann, Dirk H.R. (2015) Photographic Walk- Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water
Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point and Society.
camera Type AN N-6A. vers. 1.0. CAMERA | Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015g). Photographic Walk-
TOPIA (Albury NSW) Around of an Abrams Erector Assembly for a
Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N6
Endnotes Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water
and Society.
1 For manuals see inter alia: Bell & Howell Co (1942); Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015h). Photographic Walk-
Fairchild Aviation Corporation (n.d.). Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming
2 See Anonymous (1944); Spennemann (2015k). Point camera Type AN N-6A Cameratopia. Albury
3 For an example of an erector assembly see Spennemann NSW: Institute for Land Water and Society.
(2015g), for an example of a calibration unit see Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015i). Photographic Walk-
Spennemann (2015f). Around of the Cossor 1428 Oscillograph Camera
4 These studies are comprised of technical assessments Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water
(Spennemann, 2015a, 2015b, 2015c, 2015d, 2015e) and and Society.
photographic documentation (Spennemann, 2015f, Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015j). Photographic Walk-
2015g, 2015h, 2015i, 2015j, 2015k, 2015l, 2015m, 2015n, Around of the Fairchild F-213 Development Tank
2015o, 2015p, 2015q, 2015r, 2015s, 2015t, 2015u, for 70mm aerial negatives Cameratopia. Albury
2015v, 2015w, 2015x, 2015y). NSW: Institute for Land Water and Society.
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015k). Photographic Walk-
5 Data compiled from on-line images and offers at online Around of the Fairchild Gun Sight Aiming Point
auction houses (e.g. eBay etc). camera Type AN-N6 Cameratopia. Albury NSW:
Institute for Land Water and Society.
References Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015l). Photographic Walk-
Anonymous. (1944). 'Machine Gun Camera' used. Good to Around of the Fairchild K-22 Aerial Camera
get Sub Action Photos. Naval Aviation News [U.S. Replacement LensCone Cameratopia. Albury NSW:
Navy](nº 208), 34. Institute for Land Water and Society.
Bell & Howell Co. (1942). Instructions for Operating U.S. Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015m). Photographic Walk-
Army Air Force Gun Sight Airming Point 16mm Around of the Fairchild Night Unit for K-19
Cameras (GSAP) Types M-1, M-2, N-1 and N-2 Aerial Camera Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute
Document BG 8-42-6055. Chicago: Bell & Howell for Land Water and Society.
Company. Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015n). Photographic Walk-
Fairchild Aviation Corporation. (n.d.). Handbook of Around of the General Electric Lens Heater Unit
Instructions for the Fairchild Type M-4 and Type N-4 for K-21 & K-24 Aerial Cameras Cameratopia.
Gun Sight Aiming Point Camera. Jamaica, N.Y: Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water and
Fairchild Aviation Corporation. Society.
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015a). History, Description and Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015o). Photographic Walk-
Technical Details of the Fairchild camera transit Around of the Kodak 16mm Strike Camera KB9A
F227 Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water
Water and Society. and Society.
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015b). History, Description and Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015p). Photographic Walk-
Technical Details of the Fairchild F-8 aerial Around of the MP Gun Camera Bore Sight Type
camera Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for A–2 Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land
Land Water and Society. Water and Society.
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015c). History, Description and Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015q). Photographic Walk-
Technical Details of the GW Target Aircraft Around of the Simmon Brothers Combat Camera
Cameras designed for testing the performance of PH-501 Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for
guided wapons during the Cold War era. Land Water and Society.
Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015r). Photographic Walk-
and Society. Around of the Soviet Aircraft Machine Gun
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015d). History, Description and Camera KOMZ S-13 Cameratopia. Albury NSW:
Technical Details of the Soviet Aircraft Machine Institute for Land Water and Society.
Gun Camera GOMZ S-13 (фотопулемет C- Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015s). Photographic Walk-
13) Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Around of the Soviet Aircraft Machine Gun
Water and Society. Camera KOMZ S-13 (Czech Airforce Set)
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015e). History, Description and Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water
Technical Details of the WREROC missile and Society.
cameras Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015t). Photographic Walk-
Land Water and Society. Around of the Soviet Aircraft Machine Gun

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>
 
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Walk-around GSAP AN-N-6A 7
Camera KOMZ S-13 with 300mm Tele-lens GW2 Mk2 Model 2 Cameratopia. Albury NSW:
Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water Institute for Land Water and Society.
and Society. Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015x). Photographic Walk-
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015u). Photographic Walk- Around of the Vought-Solar Aircraft Torpedo
Around of the Target Aircraft Camera Dekko Camera Type 1 Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute
GW1 Mk 1A Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water and Society.
for Land Water and Society. Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015y). Photographic Walk-
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015v). Photographic Walk- Around of the WREROC Missile Camera
Around of the Target Aircraft Camera Dekko Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute for Land Water
GW1 Mk 1C Cameratopia. Albury NSW: Institute and Society.
for Land Water and Society.
Spennemann, Dirk HR. (2015w). Photographic Walk-
Around of the Target Aircraft Camera R & J Beck

Spennemann, Dirk HR (2015) Photographic Walk-Around of the Bell and Howell Gun Sight Aiming Point camera Type AN N-6A
. vers. 1.0 [CAMERA | TOPIA ] (Albury NSW) All Rights Reserved © Dirk HR Spennemann 2015 <www.cameratopia.net>