BIRD CAMERA DEVELOPMENT

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06637657
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: May 12, 1976

� Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
41011
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12 May 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: TCT
FROM: Charles Adkins, OTD/ORD
SUBJECT: Bird Camera Development
1. The final camera design has been completed and
tested. This camera, Camera No. 3, has undergone extensive
ground tests, including vibration, and was flown six times
during the Oklahoma tests listed in Table 1. This camera,
which uses the Minox lens, has a weight of 35 grams
including timer, film, and batteries. The total flight
weight, including harness, is 39.5 grams. A primary
feature of this design is a focal plane flattener which
permits accurate positioning of the film in the focal
plane and a reduction in motor torque and probability of
jamming. Furthermore, ultrathin base film works well in
this design so that more pictures (200 black and white,
140 color) per roll are possible. The shutter speed has
been shortened to 1/1400 of a second.
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
SUBJECT: Bird Camera Development
2. The production schedule calls for five additional
cameras (Cameras 4 through 8) to be made by 1 June 1976.
About one week will be required for performance and
reliability tests. By 15 June 1976 these five cameras will
be ready for flight tests. By the end of June, six cameras
of the new design (Nos. 3-8) and two cameras of the old
design will be ready for demonstrational use.
3. A meeting was held with
Chief/APSD/NPIC, to discuss various films
techniques. Also at the meeting were
of the same division. The flight
and processing
and
films and data
sheets were left with them for review. Subsequently,
a
of APSD called and a second meeting was
held to discuss possible approaches for selecting films
and processing techniques for both color and black and
white. An additional meeting has been scheduled between
NPIC and Kodak to get Kodak's recommendation. At this
time, it is agreed that a series of tests will be conducted
with the new camera and several film selections in order
to determine the proper film and processing technique.
Recommendations will also be made regarding trade-offs
between shutter speed, film speed, and film resolution.
3CW
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
S.
SUBJECT: Bird Camera Development
These film tests and/or recommendations will be integrated
into the camera tests in early June and verified by
flight tests in the later part of June. Analysis of the
flight tests to date by NPIC supports the original estimate
of 1.5- to 2-inch resolution at 100 feet altitude.
4. The
lens has been assembled and tested
in comparison with the new Camera No. 3 design. Both
lens systems have field flatteners. Thp
lens is
an F2.5 lens (about a stop faster), has about the same
resolution in the center, and has slightly better resolution
at the edge of the field of view. Its major advantage is
the faster stop which would allow for faster shutter
speed or resolution. As time permits, a camera will be
designed for this lens and ground tests will be conducted
to verify performance.
S. Table 2 shows the schedule for camera manufacturing,
tests, and film selection.
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657
TABLE 1
FLIGHT TESTS
DATE PLACE NO. FLIGHTS
NO. FILM ROLLS
1/23/76
5
4
3/29/76
2
1
3/30/76
4
2
3/31/76
4
4
4/23/76
OKLA
10
5
5/1/76 OKLA 4
4
TOTALS 29 Flights
20 Rolls
TABLE 2
MILESTONE SCHEDULE
1
MAY
15
JUNE
1 15
JULY
1 15
Construct Cameras
Ground Tests
Film selection
tilm Tests
Flight tests
Demonstration Tests
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06637657