film magazines and parts for Fairchild T-3A aerial camera
Date: 1930-1936
Inventory Number: RS0385a
Classification: Film Holder
Subject:
Maker: Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation (1920 - 1927)
Maker: Fairchild Aviation Corporation (1927 - 1944)
User: United States Army Air Forces (1941-1947)
User: Institute of Geographical Exploration (1929 - 1952)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
64 x 66 x 55 cm (25 3/16 x 26 x 21 5/8 in.)
Material:
Accessories: trunk
Bibliography:
Multiple-Lens Aerial Cameras in Mapping
The Fairchild Model T-3A Five Lens Aerial Camera and Model B-7 Transforming Printer
Description:
Trunk with the film magazines and other parts of the Fairchild T-3A five-lens aerial camera system.
Large rectangular trunk with 2 thick leather handles and metal trim. Inside is large film magazine? Conical base, rectangular metal frame on top with motor. 2 bent metal bars. Black felt support pieces removable.
Large rectangular trunk with 2 thick leather handles and metal trim. Inside is large film magazine? Conical base, rectangular metal frame on top with motor. 2 bent metal bars. Black felt support pieces removable.
Signedplate on magazine: K3 / CAMERA / 1922 / 2019
plate on motor: Diehl Manufacturing Co. / ELIZABETH, N.J. / STYLE No. GL294 VOLTS 12 / SERIAL No 705766 AMP. 10 / SPEED 5500 H.P. 1/50
plate on motor: Diehl Manufacturing Co. / ELIZABETH, N.J. / STYLE No. GL294 VOLTS 12 / SERIAL No 705766 AMP. 10 / SPEED 5500 H.P. 1/50
Inscribedplate on top of magazine: IMPORTANT / ALWAYS CLEAN BOTH SIDES OF GLASS / WITH CLOTH BEFORE LOADING MAGAZINE. / PRESSURE PLATE IS REMOVED / BY PRESSING THUMB PIECES TOGETHER
etched on handle of plate: 571
etched on handle of plate: 571
Historical AttributesThis is an Air Corps Aerial Camera, Type T-3A five-lens camera designed and produced by the Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation between 1930 and 1936.
The T-3A camera was "used to obtain overlapping photographs in series for the preparation of line drawn maps and for purposes of military reconnaissance and intelligence. It was specifically designed and constructed to fulfill the needs of the War Department for a camera which, in time of emergency, might be used to map all possible theatres of operation with out delay" (from the 1932 instruction manual).
The camera was mounted in an upright position in the belly of a U. S. Army Observation Airplane. The image was formed from five photographs all exposed simultaneously: one photograph is a contact print from the negative of the center lens chamber in the T-3A camera; and the other four are transformed projection prints from each of the four oblique lens chambers. For every 1000 feet of flying altitude, the photograph covers a strip of territory that is over one mile wide. (For example, a camera flying at 15,000 feet covers a strip of terrain equal to 15 miles wide, and about 125 square miles.)
Examples of the photographs produced by this camera are in the Collection (see inv. RS1506 and later).
The T-3A camera was "used to obtain overlapping photographs in series for the preparation of line drawn maps and for purposes of military reconnaissance and intelligence. It was specifically designed and constructed to fulfill the needs of the War Department for a camera which, in time of emergency, might be used to map all possible theatres of operation with out delay" (from the 1932 instruction manual).
The camera was mounted in an upright position in the belly of a U. S. Army Observation Airplane. The image was formed from five photographs all exposed simultaneously: one photograph is a contact print from the negative of the center lens chamber in the T-3A camera; and the other four are transformed projection prints from each of the four oblique lens chambers. For every 1000 feet of flying altitude, the photograph covers a strip of territory that is over one mile wide. (For example, a camera flying at 15,000 feet covers a strip of terrain equal to 15 miles wide, and about 125 square miles.)
Examples of the photographs produced by this camera are in the Collection (see inv. RS1506 and later).
Primary SourcesFairchild Aerial Camera Corporation, The Fairchild Model T-3A Five Lens Aerial Camera and Model B-7 Transforming Printer (New York, 1932).
The above is bound with:
Aerial Division, U. S. Army Air Corps (Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio), Handbook of Instructions with Parts Catalog for the Fairchild Model T-3A Five Lens Aerial Camera and the B-7 Transforming Printer (New York, Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation, 1932).
The above is bound with:
Aerial Division, U. S. Army Air Corps (Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio), Handbook of Instructions with Parts Catalog for the Fairchild Model T-3A Five Lens Aerial Camera and the B-7 Transforming Printer (New York, Fairchild Aerial Camera Corporation, 1932).
ProvenanceOur files variously record this as coming from "Geology" or "Geography," but it is more likely from the Institute of Geographical Exploration, Harvard; transfer to CHSI in late 1950s.
