Recce Film Data Block

[Video Mixdown]

Are there any ex PI/Plotters out there who remember how to 'decode' the data block that used to be superimposed on recce film? The example shown is from one of the F95 fan cameras in a Harrier recce pod overflying the Wittering RIC in 1972.
Wittering RIC 1.jpg (http://www.pprune.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2827&stc=1&d=1503305010)

[Dan Winterland]

They used to use a see through matrix which was overlaid. You will need the matrix.

[Crromwellman]

It might be worth trying the Medmenham Association through https://www.medmenham.org/MED201702/index.php
They are an association of ex-PIs who may be able to help. IIRC the Harrier and Phantom had similar data blocks based on binary notation which gave a small amount of information. The later Jaguar block was based on LEDs and gave you a lot more info

[esa-aardvark]

Having leaned about 5 bit code, this is somewhat familiar.
The 'dots' seem to be of variable size. Ignoring that, each 'frame'
would identify a number between 0-15, perhaps coded.
Sorry it's a long time ago.
(Yes I did work on those ancient computers!)

[BlackadderIA]

I've got the decode somewhere but I suspect it's buried in the darkest depths of the garage - I'll have a dig.

[Sun Who]

Not Baudot (Murray) code is it?

Some Printing Telegraph Codes as Products of their Technologies (http://www.circuitousroot.com/artifice/telegraphy/tty/codes/)
Sun.

[dragartist]

Wyton Heritage has a section dedicated to Photo Int. Couple of Ex PIs gave escorted tour. I believe some of the preserved kit they have is from the era of Tactical RICs. Ex JSPI. If in a few days there is no resolution I will ask my mate. His War role in the 80s was Harrier RICs at Gutteslo.

[HAS59]

There's one in the shed,
I'll see if I can dig it out in the morning.
Phantom dots were different to the Harrier stuff
Just dots but with the overlay you got height, bearing and speed etc,
I think you needed to have more than one frame of imagery to make sense of it all though.

I've got a few strips of old F-95 negs around too somewhere. Unless the mice have got it.

... No luck I'm sorry to report, I thought it was in my old 'Cat Book' along with the white dots and North Arrow stickers.
Well you never know when a thing like that may be of some use one day.
I would agree with others previous posts that the Medmenham People 'at Wyton' are the most promising place to look.
If someone does find a copy of the Data Block Overlays, would they kindly post a photo of them on here ... it would be most usefull.
.-.