USN Aeronautics Special Devices Div Flash Projector 5-PP-a - Aircraft of World War II

sifs2 · 07-02-2009, 02:46 PM

I'm posting pictures for your viewing pleasure of the flash projector we have acquired temporarily. It was made in 1944 to aid in aircraft (and ship) identification. I think there are 11 rolls of film, some duplicate, most unopened. This flash projector was made by the National Mineral Corp. Prior to WWII, the company had made beauty products, including things like the permanent wave crimper. Because they had the factories, they were able to retool during the war and produce military items including this projector. After WWII, National Mineral eventually became Helene Curtis, still operating today in the beauty aid field.

The projector has a couple speeds, a couple modes, can be operated by hand if necessary. It flashes an image on the screen or wall. Some of the images in the reels are silhouettes, some are line drawings, and some are actual photos of planes flying from different angles, heights, and distances.

The middle sized box contains an entire configuration of replacement parts. Virtually all of them are in their original unopened packaging. There are several replacement bulbs as well.

The whole thing comes with the operations manual, the original bulletin signed by Capt.S.C.Ring, Director of Aviation Training, and a couple other papers.

I've attached the pdf of the Naval Aviation Training Bulletin No.201, 2 August 1944 as well as a couple pics.

I think it sounds really cool when it's running--it's easy to imagine being in a cramped little room, preparing to fly against the images I'd be seeing on the wall...which some of you guys maybe did!

BTW, I'm honored to be able to communicate with members, past and present, of our armed forces. I think you guys are doing/have done a great job!! Thank you!

R Leonard · 07-02-2009, 11:06 PM

Very nice piece. Your bulletin is signed by Stanhope Ring who commanded, if you want to call it that, the Hornet air group at the Battle of Midway

vikingBerserker · 07-02-2009, 11:39 PM

That's pretty interesting sifs2, nice post.

GrauGeist · 07-05-2009, 06:12 AM

sifs2, that's an incredible find!

The equipment and media look to be in such good shape, it really should be in an aviation museum!

Also try and protect the films from excessive heat & humidity!

sifs2 · 07-09-2009, 08:26 AM

Is there a museum that I could contact? Any suggestions? I'd love to find a home for this where people can see it!

R Leonard · 07-09-2009, 09:41 AM

Try National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, FL.

Failing that, try National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX.

sifs2 · 07-09-2009, 10:12 AM

Thanks very much!

RabidAlien · 07-10-2009, 04:37 PM

A quick Googling in your area (no, not that kind of googling!) brought up this:

Main-Page

You might also contact the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson:

National Museum of the USAF - Home

Heck, for that matter, might as well go all-out and hit up the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum:

http://www.nasm.si.edu/help/contact.cfm

07-02-2009, 11:06 PM	#2
R Leonard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 490	Very nice piece. Your bulletin is signed by Stanhope Ring who commanded, if you want to call it that, the Hornet air group at the Battle of Midway __________________ hmmm ... I wonder what this switch does ...

07-02-2009, 11:39 PM	#3
vikingBerserker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,722	That's pretty interesting sifs2, nice post. __________________ "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" "Those who dwell in the past, condemn the future"

07-05-2009, 06:12 AM	#4
GrauGeist Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California Posts: 3,345	sifs2, that's an incredible find! The equipment and media look to be in such good shape, it really should be in an aviation museum! Also try and protect the films from excessive heat & humidity! __________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis <

07-09-2009, 09:41 AM	#6
R Leonard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 490	Try National Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola, FL. Failing that, try National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, TX. __________________ hmmm ... I wonder what this switch does ...

07-10-2009, 04:37 PM	#8
RabidAlien Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas Posts: 2,823	A quick Googling in your area (no, not that kind of googling!) brought up this: Main-Page You might also contact the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson: National Museum of the USAF - Home Heck, for that matter, might as well go all-out and hit up the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum: http://www.nasm.si.edu/help/contact.cfm __________________ Pillage, then burn. Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast. Last edited by RabidAlien; 07-10-2009 at 04:40 PM.

07-09-2009, 08:26 AM	#5
sifs2 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 5	Is there a museum that I could contact? Any suggestions? I'd love to find a home for this where people can see it!

07-09-2009, 10:12 AM	#7
sifs2 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Elk River, MN Posts: 5	Thanks very much!

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