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Aviation History
1955
1955 - 0386.PDF
386 (Left) F/L. Coleman (right) briefs F/L.s Black and Clerbaut before a Canberra P.R. sortie. (Right) Detailed briefing from F/0. Harris. TERRESTRIAL ANI - "POR die arduous and exacting duty of high-altitude photo- *- graphic reconnaissance the Royal Air Force depends upon its •••••.: squadrons of English Electric Canberras (Mks P.R.3 and P.R.7) and Meteor P.R. 10s—all capable of operating at heights in excess of 40,000ft. Lately secured at R.A.F. Station Wyton, Hunts., the pictures on these pages are illustrative of the work of a typical :. P.R. unit, and are, at the same time, a reminder that the skill of the pilots and navigators, and the qualities of the aircraft, can be translated into usable intelligence only with the backing of specialist ground trades. The pictures, too, evoke the reflection that reconnaissance was the first duty which fell to the Royal Flying Corps in World War I. During the course of that war various types of aircraft, notably fast day bombers, were adapted - -" for the work, and this continued to be so in the years before World War II. Early in that war, however, it was realized that ~--~ - fighter-like performance was demanded, and Spitfires and other •-•--•' types were hastily adapted. Later, special variants of the Mosquito, carrying up to seven cameras, were developed. Today the Canberra P.R.7 is the latest type in general employment, but the Service looks forward to—and assuredly deserves—special versions of the V-bombers, capable of flying at speeds in excess of 550 m.pJi., at heights above 50,000ft and over vastly longer ranges. (Above, left) F/L. Black, navigator, demonstrates the use of his camera sight. (Below, left) S. A/C. Garrod plots on the map the area covered by two "split-vertical" prints. (Below, right) Loading F.52 cameras, with 36in lens, into a P.R. Canberra.
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