Photo Recon

[MikeC]

rpg said:

The FAA had 2 or 3 35As specially adapted for PR and lost one of them over the Falklands

Actually, I think it was the Argentinians had Learjets, don't think the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) did. ;)

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Now you've said that I'd have to agree, the Argentinians were casting around for aircraft with the range and internal volume to accommodate cameras, so recollection is that they may well have used Lear jets, soon cleared off when they detected radar signals of a more "aggressive nature", wait for more "expert" knowledge?

Colin

[rpg]

mikec said:

rpg said:

The FAA had 2 or 3 35As specially adapted for PR and lost one of them over the Falklands

Actually, I think it was the Argentinians had Learjets, don't think the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) did. ;)

Sorry, is this tongue in cheek? "FAA" = Fuerza Area Argentina... And re Colin's subsequent message, the FAA already had Learjet 35As before 1982 - several for communications purposes ("VR" designation) and six in Grupo 1 for PR, one of which (T-24) was brought down on June 7th by a Sea Dart from HMS Exeter. They'd actually made quite intensive use of their Learjets, both for PR and as navigation leaders for strike missions against our vessels in San Carlos Water, but perhaps grew over-confident. Hence my interest in them - but although I have some fairly good pics and basic info on missions, I have located (a) no interior pics specifically of these PR planes, and (b) no CU pics of the camera fairing beneath the wing root. Still hoping...
Regards, RPG

[MikeC]

"Sorry, is this tongue in cheek? "

Sorry rpg, couldn't resist it. But to me the FAA is the Fleet Air Arm, so whilst I'm aware that "FAA" is also a valid abbreviation for the Argentinian Air Force, my first reaction was that I didn't know we'd used Lear Jets. Life's just confusing sometimes.

Cheers,

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Got me with the FAA "trap" as well! But then I get confused easily...

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Surprising email tonight, looks like we have our first overseas member! been following this thread for a while and contacted me by email, builds a variety of recce aircraft, sent me photos of a nice looking Victor SR2.

Hello Rolf.........

I think Rolf lives in Switzerland

[Deleted]

Hi Colin,

Rolf does indeed live in Switzerland, did he send the photo of the Halifax?

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Yes he did, looked v nice, sent him an email, welcoming him on board and offering space if he wants to display at SMW 2006 on the Recce SIG, got one back saying he'll look into it, what with having to travel etc, be nice to have a foreign participator....

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Hello All......

Went to Aeroventure yesterday at Doncaster and put on a small display of two tables using the recently acquired "shelves", my collection of RAF PR types, and some extra Spitfires. Filled two tables nicely with room for pictures and information, seemed to go well and the "subject" seemed to attract attention and interest, quite flattering to see so many people photographing my models, little embarrassing.

Any way two conclusions;

Looking at models offered so far, from us all, we should quite happily fill approx 3 out of the four tables available at SMW 2006, with plenty of room, without crowding, so we have space to take on further exhibits without fear of running out of space, which is good. It may not be a luxury we will have in future years......Any more exhibits you would like to show?

Second conclusion, and a question. I tend to intersperse my collection with some examples of aerial photographs and information regarding the subject of Photo Recce, all of which tend to be biased towards RAF-WW II, and this seems to generate almost as much interest as the models.

I am thinking that some of your models, are not WW II! I am trying to look for photos and information, for things such as the Phantoms and finding it frustrating! Can you give me some direction, or would you like to do it yourselves for your own models?

Must admit I do have a bit of a passion for trying to raise awareness of the whole subject, and all the little known stories, and secrets involved with the subject, any of your opinions or knowledge appreciated.

Colin

[Rob Monfea]

Hi Colin,

Here's an SA-2 SAM site, probably shot by a U2 during the Cuban missile crisis:



More like it here:

www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/cuba_mis_cri/photos.htm

Cheers,

Rob M.

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Cheers Rob, ......about to have a look at that site. Any other ideas appreciated.

Colin

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Thanks Rob, just "hoovered" all the photos off that site, got a cracking low level oblique showing shadow of RF 101, could now do with an RF 101 for the stand in november!

Thanks again for the lead....

Colin

[Rob Monfea]

Ali As Salim During Desert Storm...



Many more at:

www.globalsecurity.org

Try searching for various Iraqi facilities/Airfields.

Mixture of RF-4, Canberra, TR-1A and Satellite photos.


Cheers,

Rob M.

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Rob,

Thank you for directing me to that website, WOW, have spent last two hours looking at it and exploring, downloading photos and still haven't done it justice. If you are interested in aerial recce then it is most definitely worth a visit.....................................................................

Got loads of useful stuff, but must admit to feeling a little humbled, looking at images, and all the history they cover, and the death and destruction that we visit upon our fellow man, all seen through the lens of photo recce aircraft.... Definitely want to spread awareness of photo recce, and all that is involved, but goodness sake, what we do at times surprises and shocks me!

Despite that thank you Rob, makes me even more convinced that we should raise awareness of the subject, thank you again. Any other suggestions?

Go and have a look at the link folks.............

Colin

[COLIN SHIPTON-KNIGHT]

Hello all,

A Mr Rolf Blattner from Switzerland is latest member of Photo Recce SIG and has volunteered to provide 3 models for display at SMW 2006;

Halifax Met V
Shackleton MR 2
Victor Sr 2

Putting together table plan as we speak, will try to figure out how to get this into a post on this site, not sure how to do it!, but feeling quite happy that we can get ALL models onto tables, with plenty of space.

Colin