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-   -   Recce Film Data Block (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/598601-recce-film-data-block.html)

Video Mixdown 21st Aug 2017 08:52

Recce Film Data Block
 
1 Attachment(s)
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

Dan Winterland 21st Aug 2017 13:26

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

Crromwellman 21st Aug 2017 14:56

Recce Film Data Block
 
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 21st Aug 2017 20:09

codes
 
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 21st Aug 2017 20:39

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 22nd Aug 2017 07:32

Baudot Code
 
Not Baudot (Murray) code is it?

Some Printing Telegraph Codes as Products of their Technologies
Sun.

dragartist 22nd Aug 2017 11:43

Wyton Heritage Centre
 
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 22nd Aug 2017 18:56

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.
.-.


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