Photo Reconnaissance / Mapping Flights Query
Thread Starter
Photo Reconnaissance / Mapping Flights Query
In the 1950’s and 60’s when we had Canberras doing photo reconnaissance, survey and mapping flights, what was the difference between the techniques and cameras used for:
1. PR
2. Survey
3. and Mapping?
I have a couple of very large (21 x 21 inches) officially supplied RAF photographic prints from a Canberra sortie engaged in an overseas mapping/surveying task. In miles the print covers an area of about 3 x 3 miles, whilst the other print is a close up of a particular area about 1 x 1 miles. Although both prints contain a fair amount of detail, I have the feeling that the resolution is not particularly good, which makes me think that had the sortie been a photo reconnaissance task images would be of much higher quality and resolution.
FWIW the sortie was flown by a PR7 at 9,000-feet.
I’d welcome views of the experts - thanks.
1. PR
2. Survey
3. and Mapping?
I have a couple of very large (21 x 21 inches) officially supplied RAF photographic prints from a Canberra sortie engaged in an overseas mapping/surveying task. In miles the print covers an area of about 3 x 3 miles, whilst the other print is a close up of a particular area about 1 x 1 miles. Although both prints contain a fair amount of detail, I have the feeling that the resolution is not particularly good, which makes me think that had the sortie been a photo reconnaissance task images would be of much higher quality and resolution.
FWIW the sortie was flown by a PR7 at 9,000-feet.
I’d welcome views of the experts - thanks.
PR3/7 Survey F49 High/medium level
PR3/7 Recce F52/F24/F95 Medium /Low level
PR3/7 Recce High level F52/F49
PR3/7 Night F97 low level
PR9 Survey F49 Mk2/Mk3/Mk4
PR9 Recce F96/F95 Medium/Low level
PR9 Night F97 low level, later IRLS fitted from 1975 on.
PR9 Night F89 high level, last high level use was in 1969/70
PR3/7 Recce F52/F24/F95 Medium /Low level
PR3/7 Recce High level F52/F49
PR3/7 Night F97 low level
PR9 Survey F49 Mk2/Mk3/Mk4
PR9 Recce F96/F95 Medium/Low level
PR9 Night F97 low level, later IRLS fitted from 1975 on.
PR9 Night F89 high level, last high level use was in 1969/70
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May I suggest you contact the Medmenham Club and Museum on this one?
Please PM me if you would like further details.
Basically Survey and Mapping cameras were vertically mounted with highly calibrated lenses and a with matrix of fiducial (or reseau) crosses visible on the negative. Focal lengths tend to be fairly short (Typically 6"' - 24")
Reconnaissance cameras could be vertically or obliquely mounted with focal lengths (for RAF aircraft ), depending on aircraft role and camera type, anything from 1.5 inches up to 48 inches .
Camera lenses with focal lengths up to at least 240" were flown on some USAF airborne recce platforms.
Please PM me if you would like further details.
Basically Survey and Mapping cameras were vertically mounted with highly calibrated lenses and a with matrix of fiducial (or reseau) crosses visible on the negative. Focal lengths tend to be fairly short (Typically 6"' - 24")
Reconnaissance cameras could be vertically or obliquely mounted with focal lengths (for RAF aircraft ), depending on aircraft role and camera type, anything from 1.5 inches up to 48 inches .
Camera lenses with focal lengths up to at least 240" were flown on some USAF airborne recce platforms.
Last edited by RETDPI; 7th Jan 2008 at 05:38.
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T.O.C. Sorties
I'd like to warm up this thread with a reconnaissance and Canberra-related question.
Looking through the F540s of RAF Laarbruch (1959 - 1963), I can't find out the real meaning of T.O.C. sorties flown by No 31 Squadron with their Canberra PR7s. Every month they had to do several of these sorties.
Then there is sth. like "task photography" (e.g. task 2345 - fulfilled 30%).
Can anyone help?
As a member of RAF Laarbruch museum I'm working on the history of that base.
Royal Air Force Museum Laarbruch-Weeze
Looking through the F540s of RAF Laarbruch (1959 - 1963), I can't find out the real meaning of T.O.C. sorties flown by No 31 Squadron with their Canberra PR7s. Every month they had to do several of these sorties.
Then there is sth. like "task photography" (e.g. task 2345 - fulfilled 30%).
Can anyone help?
As a member of RAF Laarbruch museum I'm working on the history of that base.
Royal Air Force Museum Laarbruch-Weeze
