Working 1956 PYE MK3 cameras downunder!

[Aussie Bloke]

G'day all.

Here's something of interest to those who are into early image orthicon cameras, particularly British IO cameras.

Back in 1999 ex ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) cameraman/engineer Barry Lambert acquired a complete ex 1956 ABC PYE OB van with 3 PYE MK3 B&W 3" image orthicon cameras and has successfully restored the van and two of the three PYE MK3s to good working order!!!

The cameras were put into practical use in 2000 for Queen Elizabeth's visit to the National Museum construction site in Canberra which those cameras filmed the event in glorious 50s B&W complete with halos and all! I have recently found the video made from these cameras on the ABC site and thought I'd share it with you guys, the video can be viewed here http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2...04/2507171.htm , you'd think this video was made way back in the 50s as most of what can be seen looks the part of that era except those two white Holden Commodores following the Queen's Rolls Royce which also is quite modern. Anyways it's amazing to see these early cameras put back into operation again and making pictures as they did back in their heyday!

I have also attached a few articles on this PYE OB kit restoration from the BATC's CQ-TV magazines.