The only problem with this being a system III pod is that it had no camera windows?
More from the photographer –
I think the reason why they parked the PR9 on that remote area was because the HAECO hangers would block the view from outside Kai Tak. Unless you were on the RAF Kai Tak side, you would not be able to see the PR9 that easy. The RAF Kai Tak ramp area was rather open, and without tall building to hide anything from ‘viewers’ on higher floors of those tall buildings around outside the base.
I still think that belly pod was not a System III. I’ve done some research on it and System III was an internal fit unit with three camera windows (1 vertical 2 oblique). There was no such windows visible around that belly pod, so I can only conclude it housed some kind of antenna for electronic equipments. Using the same gun pod shape would not have any aerodynamic problem, and can easily get cleared for flight.
When I took the photos, the RAF Regiment guard (unarmed) was next to me watching, and gave me five minutes to take the photos. I can only shot three photos because not only short of time, but also running out of film, as K64 slide was very expensive at that time !
Sign In
