A radiation image recording and read-out apparatus comprises a recording and read-out unit (20) for recording a radiation image on a stimulable phosphor sheet and reading the radiation image therefrom, a shutter (16) moveable between a masking position that prevents impingement of radiation upon a part of the stimulable phosphor sheet and a retracted position that allows impingement of radiation upon a single image recording region of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a shutter operating device for moving the shutter between the masking position and the retracted position. The recording and read-out unit is moved by a unit movement device to move the stimulable phosphor sheet in the same plane at an image recording position in the recording and read-out unit. A system is provided for operating the shutter operating device to move the shutter to the masking position, and operating the unit movement device to move the recording and read-out unit so that the uncovered portion of the stimulable phosphor sheet at the image recording position that is not covered by the shutter changes sequentially.