GB BELL & HOWELL 16MM Sound
Projector Model 636 Ser. No. M4325 A popular model in
the 630 series. A robust projector slightly noisy, hence
the 'blimp'. This model, and the one below it, were
developments of the 600/620 series and were popular
in schools, hospitals and in industry. The lamphouse
could accommodate up to a 1000w. pre-focus filament
lamp. The drive mechanism to the spool arms are wire
belt.
AMPRO STYLIST MAJOR 16mm
Sound Projector Ser. No. 16986 M4 Manufactured under
the Simplex brand of Chicago this machine was so quiet
that it needed no blimp. As with most 16mm projectors
of the day it came with a transformer and external speaker.
Lighting was up to 1000watts pre-focus filament lamp.
It had powerful amplification and drive to the arms
was by wire belt. It was not liked by some projectionists
because it was very 'fiddly' to lace up though once
mastered it was a beautiful projector to use.
GAUMONT-BRITISH
L516 16mm Sound Projector Ser. No. 8161/409 Manufactured
by GB Equipments Ltd. The L516 found fame as a WW2 projector
though it was developed as early as 1935. It was the standard
Armed Forces 16mm projector and found in camps, military
establishments, on board ship and on mobile units in the
front line. Just about portable it is a very robust machine
which could be set up just about anywhere.
It comprised of the
projector, a large speaker (very large) and a resistance
commonly known as the 'toast rack'. It looked like one
and got as hot as one and a godsend to the operator
on a cold frosty night just behind the front line. It
is a very simple design with as few mechanical parts
to foul up as possible. It had two unique features.
The film gate was curved and the film was just slotted
in. Secondly the sound excitation was by the projection
lamp inverted in the lamphouse the light from it relayed
through a glass rod to the sound optics. The L516 didn't
look particularly attractive but it was the business
end of a well thought out projection design.
This particular
projector was saved from the scrap heap after it's war
service mainly on destroyers so is an ex Royal Navy
machine. The only problem is the low wattage filament
lamp with only 750w output generally and a rather deep
base sound output but that didn.t bother the troops
much when Betty Grable came up on the makeshift screen.
The projector still works.
DeBRIE D16 16mm Sound Projector
Ser. No. D340
The DeBrie projectors were very popular and saw much
usage by the Armed Forces. In general they probably
replaced the L516. They are a business-like looking
projector which is quiet therefore needing no blimp.
The projector consisted of the head which slots into
a base which is also the control panel and amplifier.
The early D16s had separate rectifiers. All were belt
driven to the spool arms. Light output was 1000w generally
and a well designed feature of the projector was its
unique stand. The one failing of the D16 is small oil
leakage which would find it's way to the film gate.
GB/BELL & HOWELL 16MM Sound Projector
Model 631 Ser. No. L587A Similar projector to the Model
636 above it. Being an earlier 630 series model The
projector has slightly lower light output and design
characteristics.
BELL & HOWELL 16mm Sound Projector
Model 652 Ser. No. 602084
Another popular projector . The 640 series broke away
from the co-operational builds of the 630 series and
particularly this model was manufactured in Japan. With
the 640/650 series the heavy wooden blimp was replaced
by a lightweight outer casing and the whole ilm gate
area transformed into a much easier threading system
necessary for the wide range of usage of 16mm. Metal
belt drives were replaced by geared and rubber belts.
Transformers were inside the projector bodies and internal
speakers added. Light output is 1000w. filament lamp
and one of the last before the use of Halogen lampage.
The final projector is another
Debrie D16 with the same characteristics as the one above
it - previously described.
