GB-BELL & HOWELL Model 609 16mm PROJECTOR
with MOY speed change unit
Variable speed take-up
Exterior 240V Induction Motor
GB-BELL & HOWELL Automatic Carbon Arc Lamp.

The image you see here is a full installation of a GB/B&H 609 with a Bell & Howell Universal Carbon Arc lamp with MOY gearing for the large spool take- up. Such combinations as this were common in the post WW2 years when commercial presentation of 16mm was popular and many 16mm cinemas were established. The model 609 was produced by collaboration from Gaumont- British Equipments and Bell & Howell British division. The Moy gearing was essential for retrieving the film after projection as full-length feature films needed to be spooled on 5000ft. spools to remove the need for a break in presentation. This outfit came from the Barry Diamondstone collection and was donated by Odeon Ltd.

The light source is a B&H Rank Organisation Carbon Arc model which dwarfs the 609 mechanism but would have presented a brilliant illumination.

The 609 was presented to the Collection by Odeon Ltd. It's history is not corroborated as yet but likely it saw service in that very Odeon from where it came. It is an unusual preserved projector thereby gaining a rightful place in our Collection thanks to Barry's work.

Two 609s were used in the first 16mm cinema opened in the UK at Skegness 1947.