Mobile film processing lab

[klempner69]

Hi all again...this one really is good,it has air conditioning,is able to heat its own water,appears to have developing sinks and some spool type scanning/viewing instrument..anyhow,on with the pics:
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2113409850053353449ZFAxmA]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/44684/2113409850053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2440046120053353449msrGxS]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/23282/2440046120053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2832550210053353449EsbtyO]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/23943/2832550210053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2221217790053353449KyPooF]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/43912/2221217790053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2102558700053353449NcTGSv]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/42748/2102558700053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2431390350053353449FSSheg]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/42579/2431390350053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]
[url=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2102572600053353449PPYtwS]
URL of the original image: http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/9328/2102572600053353449S600x600Q85.jpg[/url]

[Holger]

Wow, that is interesting. For what purpose/event can that have been used?

[klempner69]

Thanx for that..today I heard from 2 fellas on my exploring forum some info on this trailer.I quote:

This is a bog standard mobile darkroom used for the processing and printing of photo reconnaissance film, unfortunately there is not enough interior detail for me to make a stab at the mk number, date etc. The 'scanner' is in fact a type of contact printer and there is an empty film spool on the bench to the right - the pressure gauge on the platen indicating when the rubber pressure plate was activated. There would have been a bank of negative drying cupboards and print dryers, as these things were for use on forward/operational airfields, so the 'light box' would have contained the thermostat indicator/timing cycle lights for the dryers.

The design is very reminiscent of WW11 trailers used in this capacity; however, most were four wheeled types and this appears to be a semi trailer - still it could just be that the front dolly has gone walk about. Most probably this unit dates from the 50s/60s, but there does seem to be the remains of a yellow anti gas circle on the front end. I guess somebody who is up on unit insignia will be able to shed light on the user, hence the era of operation.

And the second link I was given tells that the Insignia belonged to"HQ LONDON DISTRICT" based at Horse Guards in London.
Lets hope someone else has even more info.

Stu