Graflex.org

Top · Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 12:22 pm Post subject: D/RB military use

While I've documented Anny Speeds of several sizes being used in WW II I haven't found any data to support usage of the big SLRs. Can anyone confirm/deny?
Thanks
Top

DHF845 · Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:43 am Post subject: Graflex SLR use in WWII

Top-I have a set of USN 'Photographer's Mate' training manuals (3 Volumes) published 1947. Several chapters are about use of 4x5 Series D/Super D cameras.
Article on military cameras in Graflex Historic Quarterly said US military started buying Graflex SLRs during WW I. It mentioned Compact Graflex and 3A Graflex.
Old Graflex catalogs show US Army, Navy, Cavalry using Auto Graflexes.
As a boy, I once asked an old friend of my dad who served in WW II (as a USN Photographr's Mate) a similar question.
He said he used Combat Graphics and Speed Graphics, but trained stateside with Graflex 4x5 SLRs.
IMO, I can't see running around under fire trying to take phots with a 4x5 SLR.
I'm sure Graflex.com members of the Greatest Generation who lived through those days have more/better info. Cheers.

bruiser · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:50 am Post subject:

While the Series D and Super D were the most common Graflex reflexes used, here is a soldier using an Auto Graflex to copy an x-ray:

http://photo.coffsbiz.com/oldphoto144.jpg

As DHF845 suggests, the reflexes were undoubtedly used for more mundane pictorial use rather than combat photography.

Cheers,
Bruce

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

I have seen photos of a regular GI Joes-tromping through Europe (no palm trees) with a series D but can't for the life of me tell you where.
_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

pv17vv · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:01 pm Post subject:

Ouch, poor tripod !

DHF845 · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject: G.I. Graflex

Wow, That's a cool shot of an Army non-com using an RB Auto Graflex. Early 1940's, just before the war?
_________________
Got first Speed Graphic at 15 (1976).Other kids were using 35mm SLR's. I ran around with flashbulbs and sheet-film holders, I wanted to be Weegee (#2084).

willysmb · Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Posts: 128 Location: France _ Europe

Good evening,
Here, a copy from the Air Force 1931, TM 2170-5
http://www.speedgraphic.fr/Images/Catalogues/TM2170-5_021.jpg
You can note, that the Rb in this TM is a early one.
And here, some view from my Auto Rb after refurbish (in French language):
http://www.speedgraphic.fr/Rbautograflex.html
(galerie is about Graflex RB in US Army, not specially RB AUto..)

Cheers
Laurent

bruiser · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 4:52 am Post subject:

Here is a book illustration showing a Navy photo unit with various cameras: Speed Graphics, Series B and D Graflexes, Kodak Medallists, a motion picture camera and a few assorted aircraft cameras.

http://photo.coffsbiz.com/navy_1.jpg

Judging by the leaning of the guys on each side it looks like the female photog was very popular!

Cheers,
Bruce