GAUMONT-BRITISH ‘N’
35mm
Designed and built to Admiralty standards these portable
projectors were to be found in ships and shore establishments
throughout the world. Designed to be able to be passed
through the manholes of ship’s hatches they saw
sterling service throughout WW2. A very robust machine
with a large 1000watt lamp providing good illumination
with a selection of lenses for different applications.
This particular projector has
been restored to full working order mechanically by the
late Eric Mortimer and comes to us from the Museum of
Cinema Technology, Bletchley Park. Pictured also is the
amplifier which unfortunately is unserviceable but displays
Its gorgeous array of thermonic valves. The GB ‘N’
is a good companion to the GB L516 16mm projector, also
a Naval projector (exhibit 5) and both could be found
working for the entertainment of Royal Navy and Merchant
Navy seamen during WW2.
The design enabled the projector
to be able to pass through the man hatches of the larger
deck hatches found aboard ship when it was dismantled.
It was a powerful machine with a 1000watt lamp and could
utilise a number of different lenses.
This particular model was ‘saved’
and restored by the late Eric Mortimer, a member of the
PPT. It is in full working order and it is intended to
eventually take the projector ‘on tour’.
All the lovely valves of the
GB’N’ Amplifier are illustrated here.
