3D theatre opens at Bletchley Park

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A new attraction has opened at Bletchley Park, the World War II code-breaking centre in Buckinghamshire.

The Trust has funded a miniature 3D theatre, which will show in pictures how the famous German Enigma machine worked and how Alan Turing’s Bombe machine was used to crack the code. It also shows how the museum's fully operational replica of the Bombe was built.

The 3D projection equipment was designed and built by volunteers Mike and Paul Hillyard, and it comprises two digital projectors controlled by a single computer.

One projector produces the right-hand images and the other the left-hand images, with the two precisely superimposed on a silver screen. The projectors are fitted with polarising filters, and viewers wear polarising glasses to ensure that the left image is only viewable by the left eye and the right by the right.

Mr Hillyard is a member of the Stereoscopic Society, which was established in 1893 and is the world's oldest club dealing with 3D imaging. He is also a member of the Turing Bombe Rebuild Team, which has constructed a replica of one of the World War II machines over the past 13 years.

He photographed the progress of the Bombe rebuild in 3D over a period of five years, from 2002 to its completion in 2007, using mainly colour slide film and a variety of cameras.

This new attraction is located next to The Bombe Rebuild Project, accommodates up to 16 people and will vividly bring the work of the code-breakers to life.

Simon Greenish, director of the Bletchley Park Trust, which funded the 3D project, said: ”This is a wonderful achievement and I would like to thank Mike and Paul Hillyard for their hard work.

“The show is an excellent way to easily absorb the story of how the Bombe machine helped crack the wartime German Enigma codes. The 3D theatre will be yet another tremendous bonus to the visitor experience here at Bletchley Park.”