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Searchlight - Projector, Anti-Aircraft, 90 cm

This searchlight may have been used to defend Portsmouth from German Air Attack during the Second World War. It projected a 2 billion candlepower focussed beam of light out to 8 kilometres (5 miles). It required a team of 12 to operate it, often the team were women from the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service).

The powerful beams of light are generated from carbon arc lamps that are mirrored with parabolic reflectors. In the Second World War they lit up bomber aircraft so anti-aircraft gunners and night-fighters could take aim, they also dazzled enemy bomber crew. This type of searchlight was powered by a Lister generator. The caterpillar tracks are fitted to enable the unit to be pulled up tra...

1940
Aluminium, glass
XXIII.165
Image and text © Royal Armouries, 2021