PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP89B00487R000300640048-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 14
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2011
• Sequence Number: 48
• Publication Date: January 11, 1955
• Content Type: MEMO

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Cy
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
SUBJECT: Photographic Equipment
1. Reference is made to the memorandum dated 5 November 1954
on the subject of "A Unique Opportunity for Comprehensive Intelligence"
and particularly to the objectives stated and the general results
which could be expected from established US photographic capabilities
appropriately applied to accomplish these objectives.
2. The subjects of optical systems and photographic techniques
has been under intensive study during the past several years by highly
skilled specialists within the armed services, as well as by civilian
organizations engaged in research and development and fabrication
activities. As members of civilian organizations thus engaged, and
as members of the USAF Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. James G. Baker
and the undersigned have continuously reviewed the advances being
made, the possible courses of further development, and the application
of these to photo reconnaissance overflights.
3. In view of the objectives to be achieved by the project now
under way, and due consideration being given to availability of
equipment, operating capabilities, weight limitations, detailed
information required and extreme flight conditions and altitudes,
the photographic configurations outlined in Attachment A are recommended.
4. It is noted that the first configuration adapts standard
equipment for use in early missions in order to assure meeting estab-
lished schedules. However, the remaining arrangements and materials
are being specifically designed for the vehicle and missions con-
templated and do not duplicate other developments. They should greatly
increase the intelligence value of the results over those obtainable
from standard equipment or equipment under development for other
purposes.
Encl.
Attachment A
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11 January 1955
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TO -? f 1.2 O /.t_
Cy if
1. Configuration A.
This will consist of various combinations of more or less standard
aerial photographic equipment, though selected and put into optimum
condition. For example:
Combination 1. Standard Tri-Met arrangement in crabbing mount with
sufficient film to last through the longest mission. Together with two
K-36-type cameras, usually with 24-inch lenses, but taking also 12 and
36-inch lenses. Film capacity will accommodate almost complete coverage
with the 12-inch, about half with the 24-inch and only about one-quarter
with 36-inch lenses. The K-36's are intended mostly for oblique coverage
.on either side of the central 6-inch of the Tri-Met, but can be tilted
as needed from near the vertical to near the horizon. All cycling will
employ 60% overlap.
Combination 2. The Tri-Met is replaced by two 12-inch cameras in
split vertical. The rest will be as above. Coverage will be almost complete
with the 12-inch cameras. This combination is essentially a multi-station
installation, with the longer focal lengths used obliquely. The mission
is to cover 3600 miles at altitude.
2. Configuration B.
This will consist of a single 36-inch (later 48-inch) lens, giving
9xl8 coverage on 18-inch wide film, with 60% overlap. The optical system
is fed by a cube prism, cycled transversely to give nearly horizon to
horizon coverage, though more restricted transverse coverage can also be
programmed. The film spools will handle about 4000' of standard film, and
perhaps 7000' of thin base film. With the latter (and 36-inch lens), the
coverage can be up to 100% along the line of flight, if the lateral
coverage is slightly limited. This system is intended for reconnaissance.
If standard film is used, the coverage will be correspondingly limited.
This camera is intended to be the workhorse, combining large area
coverage with intermediate scale.
There will also be a charting camera accompanying all flights not having a
Tri-Met. Plans are not definitized as yet, but probably the charting camera
will take the form of a Tri-Met on a single roll of film. 51f-inch film
will probably be used and the picture will be perhaps 9 inches along the
roll from horizon to horizon. The oblique views will be taken with longer
focal length lenses, say 6-inch lenses, and the vertical view with probably
a 3-inch wide angle lens. The oblique views will be fed through fixed
prisms. The shutters will be standard between-the-lens shutters operated
simultaneously. The vertical pictures will have 60% overlap.
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3. Configuration C.
This will consist of a 240-inch f/20 optical system feeding the same
magazine arrangement as in Configuration B. However, the film spools will
be somewhat smaller. This long focal length system is intended for large
scale pictures of limited areas, and is pointed by servo, aligned with the
pilot's perscope sweep. The pilot looks into his periscope, which has a
transverse sweep, with either 25 or 50 degree field at any one glance.
The camera is always pointing whatever is on the cross-wire of the
periscope. The pilot pushes an exposure button whenever he sees something
of interest and brings it to the cross-wire. The camera then takes a set
of pictures around that area, either 2, or 4 or 8, with 60% overlap,
according to the pilot's direction.
The pilot either can be briefed on what to photograph from studies of
the smaller scale photography earlier, or else can simply go hunting. He
can pick out individual towns or cities, or cover a river bank for many
miles, and so forth. The camera will show perhaps 20 times the return of
what the pilot can glimpse in terms of resolution, and hence the instructions
to the pilot should be in terms of gross detail, and prominent landscape
features.
The 240-inch on the average should resolve objects of the order of a
foot in size on thefvertical, up to several feet 40 miles off the vertical,
to several dozen feet at 100 miles off the vertical.
There will be certain ground equipment provided in addition to the usual
processing. For example, a projector will be provided for the charting
camera. Collimators will be provided for aid in checking focus in the field.
Special films will be used if haze is a serious problem, along with photo-
electric iris or shutter control. All cameras will have IMC, and will be
in damped, vibration-filtered mounts. Only the Tri-Met will have crabbing
control. No camera will have tilt control. The airplane is supposed to
fly within 1 degree of vertical in roll and pitch, and to maintain a true
flight line with about the same degree of precision.
Cameras will be thermostated. The film will be heated and proper humidity
obtained in the back focus space. Mtreme attention will be given to
keeping the windows clear. The highest possible resolution will always be
sought for, and hopefully, better than 20 lines/mm. Fine-grained film will
be used when illumination permits. Vignetting will be minimized. The
lenses will generally be used at f/8 or slower, except where illumination
requires maximum aperture.
On excellent photographic days it is anticipated that haze will not
be serious over a band 100 miles wide. With the 36-inch Configuration B
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a useful strip up to 200 miles wide can be expected. With the spotting
camera, some results might be available over a band 250 miles wide.
However, vertical coverage will always be desirable for any camera, over
important targets, or, the more nearly vertical, the better.
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January 14, 1955
Photoeauiument
The following is a brief summary of equipment and planning. The
Hycon perspective and lay-out drawings of January 13 should be referred
Zp for more complete details.
For reasons discussed below we have planned for a total of 20 separate
payloads made up from 8 kinds of payloads. The tentative designation and
the distribution are as follows:
A-la A-lb A-2a A-2b A-3a A-3b B C
2 2 2 2 2 2 4 4
After considerable study and numerous revisions we have found that
minimum weight and maximum logistical simplicity are obtainable if each
payload has its own bottom with its own windows for the camera bay. Thus,
we must have made up 20 separate bottoms of which there are 8 kinds.* The
bottoms are to be designated with the same notation used above, such as
A-la, etc. Although it is possible to have but a single kind of bottom
servicing all kinds of payloads, the plane would be carrying quite a lot of
dead weight for the simpler missions, there would be much increased danger
of window breakage and loss of pressurization, and finally, there would
result a much increased cost in manufacture of the numerous windows and
possible delays in procurement.
The "A" designation comprises payloads made up from standard equipment in
accordance with everyone's desire to make use of cameras with proved
reliability. "B" refers to the intermediate reconnaissance camera combining
intermediate focal length with maximum coverage. "C" refers to the long
focal length spotting camera to be used for limited coverage at m.xim ?m
resolving power.
The quantities given above are derived from a concept of outfitting
3 widely separated and independent bases with adequate equipment to provide
for the missions of pioneer search and mapping, intermediate reconnaissance
and spotting of critical areas. Furthermore, at all times we must strive
to obtain the maximuminformation return per mission, picking a few days
with exceptionally clear air, and making use of these vigorously when they
occur. For that reason each base ought to have at least two or at most four
aircraft, having available the 5 payloads (A-la, A-2a, A-3a, B and C, or the
equivalent). Maintenance should be accomplished during the numerous
photographically unfavorable days of which there will be many suitable
* (A 9th kind is probably needed. See below.)
It'ar SFf ET
TS #' %O's 's a
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for check flights.- Any one of the first four payloads covers a wide area,
so that as many as four planes can be sent in simultaneously to photograph
as many as 2 million square miles in 6 hours at altitude. Even "C" can be
used right away for going after known critical targets, or for covering a
small target area in great detail, or for following along rivers, roads or
rail lines for associated industrial complexes. The various payloads are
interchangeable among the 2 to 4 aircraft as needed, the change-over time
amounting at most to several hours.
A-la. Camera Bay #1 contains a rockable K-38 with 24-inch lens. cone, making
use of a modified A8-B magazine with 2000' of thin base film. Bay 1f2 contains
both a split vertical pair of 12-inch cameras, and a single vertical 6-inch K-17.
Bay #3 contains the side oblique 6-inch K-17's completing the Tri-Met
installation.
A-lb. The same, except that the rockable K-38 has a 36-inch cone.
A-2a. Camera Bay #1 contains the rockable K-38 with 24-inch lens cone again,
but the mount now is changed to go with another rockable K-38 with 24-inch
lens cone in Bay #2. The forward K-38 is for the right-looking obliques, and
the center K-38 for the left-looking obliques. Bay #3 now contains the split
vertical 12-inch pair. Bay J- contains a small charting camera to be described
below.-
A-2b. The same, except that the two K: 38's are equipped with 36-inch lens
cones.
A-3a. Camera Bays #1 and 2 still contain the rockable K-38's. Bay #3 now
has a fixed vertical K-38. Bay #4 has the charting camera.
A-3b. The same, except that the 3 K-38's are equipped with 36-inch cones.
B. This is an entirely new camera where intermediate focal length and
extreme coverage are combined. The optical system is light for what it
accomplishes. The maximum film load of 9000' per spool, or 18000' altogether,
accounts for more than 600 of the weight; of the payload, including windows.
Hence, the maximum information return per pound has been realized. By the
same token, the payload can only be made lighter by decreasing the film supply,
but for extreme altitude missions, or later retake missions of smaller areas,
a reduced film supply will be satisfactory. Some further attention might be
given to use of still thinner film, say of 2 mil base thickness, to take away
another 75 lbs. B makes use of a 36-inch lens. Space is provided for sub-
stitution later of a 48-inch lens, if found desirable. The format is
essentially 18xl8, but is covered by two 9xl8's, photographed simultaneously.
The 18x18 permits slower cycling and twice the stereo base line. The use of
9-inch film is better all around, particularly with thin base film. The
two spools are contra-winding to maintain the c.g. accurately without further
mechanical parts.
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The transverse coverage in B is provided by means of a rockable 4+5-degree
mirror that assumes anyone of 7 transverse positions in turn and then resets.
The windows are small and discrete at these 7 positions. Because of weight
restrictions we have discarded the heavy double dove prism, and instead must
put up with having the field rotate on the 18x18 format, and with a reversed
image. Both can be overcome in later laboratory printing without loss of
information. B is accompanied by the charting camera with its total coverage.
Further study of programming technique will probably reduce the film weight.
C. This is also an entirely new camera. The problem has been to get the
longest possible focal length in round numbers into the camera compartment
given us, the maximum format size, and the maximum number of pictures. The
result has been a 200-inch lens of f/16 speed covering an 18x18 format, and
film spools accommodating up to 4000 pictures. From altitude each picture
will cover approximately one square mile and show a resolution at least as good
as one foot on the ground, which corresponds to about 3 seconds of are. We
are gunning for 1 second, however, The camera has a side-sweeping quartz
mirror giving access to transverse coverage from horizon to horizon. The
pilot is to select the interesting areas through a periscope having two degrees
of freedom. Thus, he can look ahead and sweep from side to side to pick out
suitable targets up to a minute ahead of time. When he centers the area on
his cross-wires and pushes a button, he programs the camera to take the picture
when the area crosses the transverse line. Thus, the pilot can stay comfoiiably
ahead of picture time by an arbitrary number of seconds, and not worry about
more than simple "shooting".
C can be programmed to take a number of pictures in a burst, or con-
tinuously. One might simply fly along a river and take high resolution pictures
of both river banks for hundreds of miles. The same holds true for roads and
rail lines. The pilot simply can keep the river on his cross-wires, more or
less, when he flies.
C is also accompanied by the charting camera that will help determine
later just where the large pictures were taken.
Reference to the summaries of equipments given in the Hycon report
indicates the magnitude of the camera and optical work to be accomplished.
Although A is always comprised of standard equipment, we plan to make many
modifications to lighten the systems, improve reliability, increase film
capacity, image quality,* and to perfect hundreds of windows and filters.
The large windows for C must be exceptionally precise, allowing no optical
deviations greater than a fraction of a second of arc, and slightly wedged
to eliminate image twinning due to pressurization. The other windows are
fairly easily made to optical standards but there are several hundred of them.
The shutter problem must be given considerable attention owing to the large
numbers of exposures. A full mission may bring back as many as 6,000 pictures
or a 1i.-plane sortie may bring back as many as 20,000 pictures in sixhours.
* Lenses and filters will be matched and calibrated. Lenses will be set at f/8,
adjusted and figured for optimum performance. Magazine platens will be
curved as needed.
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Even one plane in six hours can bring back the equivalent of our present
annual take in peripheral photography all in 6 hours, not to mention location.
Hence, the equipment must be 100% reliable.
Considerable attention will be given to vibration elimination and to
control of the low frequency oscillations. We plan to develop a triggering
device that makes exposures during selected moments of minimum angular rate
of the airplane. The larger cameras are in isolated mounts more or less on
a c.g. principle, and have IMC. C will contain quartz mirrors in invar
mount to stabilize focus thermally. Very close attention must be given to
thermostating the cameras, providing proper environmental conditions for the
film, and keeping windows clean and free of moisture. The periscope design
and linkages with the camera must be done with extreme care, and provision
must be made to allow the pilot to see essential instruments while using
his periscope. In addition there will be a good deal of ground equipment
needed, including maintenance facilities, spare parts, film storage, some
processing units, etc. Also, we plan to have test devices made up for
checking the vibration and resolution performance of the various installations.
It will be necessary to construct collimators for focusing cameras in the
field. Hycon plans to train tech representatives for field service and to
equip GFE vans with everything needed. When all this is accomplished, we
shall have a most extraordinary means for gathering information, and in
particular for obtaining the most information per hour at altitude. It will
take only a few missions on perfect days to return more information than we
have ever managed to collect photographically from earlier efforts, range
excepted, and this information will all be up-to-date. Weather observations
should begin even rightazray in order to determine what the frequency distribu-
tion seasonally is of "perfect" days where there is minimum haze. It should
be emphasized that minimizing atmospheric haze by selection of observing
times is much more important than further increase in quality of optics, and
that a few perfect hours in the air are more important than dozens of days
where haze is present. In the overall planning, expert weather analysis
and weather information gathering should be given as much attention as the
aircraft and camera effort, or the data reduction effort.
Charting camera. This is a small panoramic system making use of 10001 of
70 mm film. Each picture is a sweep from horizon to horizon transverse to
the line of flight. The successive pictures have 600 overlap. The film
supply will provide continuous coverage for up to 4000 miles. The pictures
will be useful for recording navigational and weather conditions, as well as
helping tremendously in the plotting of the thousands of larger scale pictures.
The charting camera will be indispensable with C for locating the critical
areas photographed somewhat at random by the pilot in flight. This a brand
new development. The camera will be very useful later to the Air Force in low
altitude coverage, being small and light, and providing complete coverage.
For this latter reason, attention ought to be given to fast cycling rate, or
at least designing the camera in such a way that fast cycling; can later be
incorporated.
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Part of the optical development will include laboratory copying systems for
projection printing and preparation of master negatives from which contact
printing can be done. Two systems in this country operated full time can
accommodate all of the work in the field, and hence should be located in
the main processing center.
We believe that we have as good a team as can be found in the country for
carrying through this large photographic program on a crash basis. Already
by this date we have completed the basic plans and are ready to start detailing
of many parts. The design of the optics for C is well along, 11 days of
electronic computing already hay been put in, with about 5 more to go.
Materials will shortly be ordered for windows and mirrors. More effort will
soon be required in the problem of the thin film base and special emulsions,
and particularly on the elimination of vibration from the pictures. Now that
the basic plans are in hand, we know what the task is for isolation of the
inertial mass, damping, and exposure control, and can go into this problem
in the greatest detail. We are targeting for 60 lines/mm on the special
lenses, including the 36-inch f/8 modified standard lens, and at least for
25 lines at f/8 with the standard lenses. This is to be compared with an
average of 10 lines/in, in the usual course of events in previous practice.
Furthermore, we shall know why we cannot do better, from vibration analysis,
contrast studies, and film properties.
We should like to emphasize that the developments referred to above are
very desirable ones for the Air Force and can be taken over readily. These
developments in some cases are years ahead of the present R & D program.
Conversely, the above systems are the outgrowth of many *ears of experience
gathered from Air Force sponsorship of basic R & D programs, and are therefore
implicitly Air Force products. This is particularly true of the electronic
computing of optical systems, where for several years the Air Force has
backed fundamental research with the Perkin-Elmer Corporation. The develop-
ment of the complicated optical system in C would have taken years in Germany
by the older methods, and many months here by design methods using desk
calculators, but now is about to be accomplished in 16 full working days with
our IBM computers (the CPC), which in a year or two might be reduced to only
a few hours. Already, the design results obtained would provide quite
satisfactory pictures, but we seek extreme quality.
Recent work indicates that the use of high contrast emulsions with finer
grain will help overcome resolution and contrast losses caused by haze. We
fully expect to use the new technique in B and C, where the optical systems
are designed to have almost no vignetting. For B where wide angle coverage
is involved, we can only increase gamma slightly above previous practice, and
hence can employ ordinary exposure control. For C with its narrow angle
coverage, we can use quite high gammas, but must have a photoelectrically
operated shutter. Such a shutter is planned as part of the program.
On scheduling it seems easily possible to meet the aircraft scheduling
with the A configurations. We expect also that the first B and C units will
be ready before the end of the year in time for field use with the first
several airplanes as needed and for tests. The A units are given priority,
-5-
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however, in order to be 100 sure that we have reliable payloads at hand.
Weight Restrictions:
We have followed a policy in planning that it is easier to take out a
camera to reduce weight than it is to add one later for a more effective use
of the mission at somewhat reduced altitude. Therefore, it is not surprising
that our present weight figures add up to something more than the 550 lbs.
allowed for the reduced altitude maximum. weight, and substantially more than
the 450 lbs. for extreme altitude. Furthermore, since so much planning has
gone into fitting the space allowed us with logistically acceptable and
practicable configurations, we have not really had the time to begin cutting
weight. For one thing our film capacities are at maximum values in footage
and weight, and later missions over territory already covered will, in general,
use less film. For example, one B mission per year may be all that is required
over a given flight line, and other uses of B in the interval will be for
much smaller film supplies.
Before long we shall have much more carefully prepared weight figures
on the various configurations, with additional columns to show weight figures
for partially stripped configurations, and reduced film supply. Thereafter,
judgment in the field will be all that is required to meet altitude performance
where weight is a factor. For example, in A-la the K-38 can be eliminated
in about ten rAinutes of working time, and the resulting payload comes down to
less than 400 lbs. In an extreme case, only the charting camera might'be
taken along, reducing the payload to 40 lbs. or so.
We have agreed to and will certainly follow the l.50-1b. limit placed on
the payload for maximum altitude, and will therefore list the partially
stripped configurations that will meet this requirement. Similarly, we
expect to give maximum attention to meeting the 550-1b. limit for full payload.
Perhaps we have given a wrong impression of our good intentions in meeting
weight requirements by describing mostly the maximum payloads, but it is the
latter that has occupied our attention because of systems planning. It is
hoped that this description will clarify matters.
For most mapping runs, it is recommended that we use the thicker base
film on the new low shrinkage base manufactured by Eastman, instfead of
trying to do mapping with thin base film. The 600' spools with standard
film thickness are already adequate to cover the entire mission, and the
extra weight will not be serious for the advantages gained.
We might have planned for a lighter A-1 configuration if we used only
one 6-inch K-17 with 1000' thin film magazine, in a rockable mount for the
equivalent of a Tri-Met installation. However, we might lose precision in
so doing, and certainly lose simultan on which mapping precision depends,
and would have to use the thin base fWe feel we have made the better
choice in spite of the weight problem.
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As a final comment, we probably should get a ninth kind of bottom for
C. consisting of a single horizontal large window for maximum spotting
precision for near vertical photography. Missions sent out to obtain
technical intelligence over very restricted areas ought to obtain the very
best optical results, and the split window in our C system above is not at
all desirable. We have used the split pair of windows to provide maximum
resolution for the longest range side looks, and the vertical results through
the V will still be very good. However, if we are really looking for details
in terms of inches on ground objects such as missiles, aircraft, etc., we
should have the single horizontal window that allows a plus or minus ten
degree transverse sweep with full aperture and perfect optics. The decision
as to getting the ninth bottom ought to be made soon as a request from the
planning group, since already the aircraft people feel hardpressed by our
requirements.
Prepared by- JGB
Addendurii :
Maximum payload return.
A-la
5,250 pictures
A-lb
A-2a
It
6,000
It
A-2b
A-3a
t'
4,750
it
ti
A-3b
It
11
B
7,000
It
(all 18,-,18)
C
5,000
it
(all 18x18)
Distribution:
?#1-JGB
2 - HIM
3-AA
4-EM 4r
5 - RSP
6-EM
7-RB
8-OR
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December 13, 1954
TENTATIVE PLANNING FOR PHOTO EQUIPMENT
1. Configuration A.
This will consist of various combinations of more
aerial photographic equipment, though selected and put into optimum
condition. For example:
Combination 1. Standard Tri-Met arrangement in crabbing mount with
sufficient film to last through the longest mission. Together with two
K-36-type cameras, usually with 24-inch lenses, but taking also 12 and
36-inch lenses. Film capacity will accommodate almost complete coverage
with the 12-inch, about half with the 24-inch and only about one-quarter
with 36-inch lenses. The K-36's are intended mostly for oblique coverage
on either side of the central 6-inch of the Tri Met, but can be tilted
as needed from near the vertical to near the horizon. All cycling will
employ 60% overlap.
Combination 2. The Tri Met is replaced by two 12-inch cameras in
split vertical. The rest will be as above. Coverage will be almost complete
with the 12-inch cameras. This combination is essentially a multi-station
installation, with the longer focal lengths used obliquely. The mission
is to cover 3600 miles at altitude.
2. Configuration Be
This will consist of a single 36-inch (later 48-inch) lens, giving
9 x 18 coverage on 18-inch wide film, with 60% overlap. The optical system
is fed by a cube prism, cycled transversely to give nearly horizon to
horizon coverage, though more restricted transverse coverage can also be
programmed. The film spools will handle about 4000' of standard film, and
perhaps 7000' of thin base film. With the latter (and 36-inch lens), the
coverage can be up to 100% along the line of flight, if the lateral
coverage is slightly limited. This system is intended for reconnaissance.
If standard film is used, the coverage will be correspondingly limited.
This camera is intended to be the workhorse, combining large area
coverage with intermediate scale.
There will also be a charting camera accompanying all flights not having a
Tri Met. Plans are not definitized as yet, but probably the charting camera
will take the form of a Tri-Met on a single roll of film. 5i-inch film
will probably be used and the picture will be perhaps 9 inches along
the roll from horizon to horizon. The oblique views will be taken with
longer focal length lenses, say 6-inch lenses, and the vertical view with
probably a 3-inch wide angle lens. The oblique views will be fed through
fixed prisms. The shutters will be standard between-the-lens shutters
operated simultaneously. The vertical pictures will have 60% overlap.
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3. Configuration C
This will consist of a 2140-inch f/20 optical system feeding the same
magazine arrangement as in Configuration B. However, the film spools will
be somewhat smaller. This long focal length system is intended for large
scale pictures of limited areas, and is pointed by servo, aligned with the
pilot's periscope sweep. The pilot looks into his periscope, which has a
transverse sweep, with either 25 or 50 degree field at any one glance.
The camera is always pointing to whatever is on the cross-wire of the
periscope. The pilot pushes an exposure button whenever he sees something
of interest and brings it to the cross-wire. The camera then takes a set
of pictures around that area, either 2, or 4, or 8, with 60% overlap, according
to the pilot's direction.
The pilot either can be briefed on what to photograph 'fran studies of
the smaller scale photography earlier, or else can simply go hunting. He
can pick out individual towns or cities, or cover a river bank for many
miles, and so forth. The camera will show perhaps 20 times the return of
what the pilot can glimpse in terms of resolution, and hence the instructions
to the pilot should be in terms of gross detail, and prominent landscape
features.
The 2110-inch on the average should resolve objects of the order of a
foot in size on the vertical, up to several feet ).0 miles off the vertical,
to several dozen feet at 100 miles off the vertical.
There will be certain ground equipment provided an addition to the usual
processing. For example, a projector will be provided for the charting
camera. Collimators will be provided for aid in checking focus in the field.
Special films will be used if haze is a serious problem, along with photo-
electric iris or shutter control. All cameras will have IMC, and will be
in damped, vibration-filtered mounts. Only the Tri Met will have crabbing
control. No camera will have tilt control. The airplane is supposed to
fly within 1 degree of vertical in roll and pitch, and to maintain a true
flight line with about the same degree of precision.
Cameras will be thermostated. The film will be heated and proper humidity
obtained in the back focus space. Extreme attention will be given to
keeping the windows clear. The highest possible resolution will always be
sought for, and hopefully, better than 20 lines/mm. Fine-grained film will
be used when illumination permits. Vignetting will be minimized. The
lenses will generally be used at f/8 or slower, except where illumination
requires maximum aperture.
On excellent photographic days it is anticipated that haze will not
be serious over a band 100 miles wide. With the 36-inch Configuration B
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a useful strip up to 200 miles wide can be expected. With the spotting
camera, some results might be available over a band 250 miles wide.
However, vertical coverage will always be desirable for any camera, over
important targets, or, the more nearly vertical, the better.
It should be anticipated that the pilot may have to stay in clear
areas where the weather front has been inaccurately predicted. He ought
to be able to spot bad weather 100 miles ahead and redirect his flight to
stay in the clear. Hence, alternate target areas should be assigned.
More detailed descriptions will be available several weeks from now.
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