TCT ACTIVITIES REGARDING BIRD CAMERA

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Animal Partners
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06527519
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: September 6, 2019
• Document Release Date: September 12, 2019
• Publication Date: February 5, 1976

Approved for Release: 2019707/30 C06527519
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3.3(h)(2)
6.2(d)
ORD-0327-76
5 February 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: TCT Activities Regarding Bird Camera
1. This memo covers the period between 5 January 1976
and 4 February 1976 regarding the progress for developing and
testing a bird camera. The memo dated 5 January 1976 contains
the original program schedule. At this time, the program is
on schedule.
2. On 12 January 1976 the first model of the new 16 mm
camera was received from and tested. The frame
rate of this camera is about one trame per second with a field
of view corresponding to a footprint on the ground of. 50 feet
along the flight path and 90 feet transverse to the flight path
at an altitude of 100 feet. Since the velocity of the bird is
about 50 feet/second, (perhaps a little faster), this geometry
yields approximately 140 contiguous pictures. From an altitude
of 100 feet, this gives a strip 90 feet wide and 7,000 feet long
for 'a total area coverage of about 630,000 square feet or 14.5
acres.
3. On 21 January 1976 went to
with camera #1 to conduct further tests with and
to pick up camera #2. Tests conducted at this time showec a
resolution of about 0.75 to 1.0 inch at 100 feet when the
camera is fixed and not moving.
4. On 23 January, these two camera; were test flown on
live birds at facility in California. The pur-
pose of this test was to obtain in-flight pictures and to
ascertain firsthand the problems of working in the field. Three
full rolls were taken in flight. One roll of the 3400 film
(ASA -64) was used with camera #2 and a neutral density filter #1.
Two flights were also made using the high-resolution 3414 film
(klat -5) since the illumination was very good (the light meter
reading showed 16,000 foot candles). Prior to each flight, pic-
tures were taken of a resolution chart at 50 feet, and an addi-
tional ten resolution charts were placed horizontally in the
compound (about 100 feet on a side) to determine resolution from
the air.
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527519
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527519
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SUBJECT: TCT Activities Regarding Bird Camera
5. Some of the positive results of this test are as
follows:
a. Of the 140 pictures on a roll, approximately
70 will be of good quality. This means about the same
resolution transverse to the direction of motion (1 inch
per 100 feet) and a degradation of two to four in the.
direction of motion.
b. About 14 pictures (10 percent) included some
part of the compound (about 100 feet on a side) and
about ten pictures include at least one resolution chart.
Of these ten pictures; about half showed the "good quality"
described in item (a).
c. The bird orbits were about 200-300 feet in diam-
eter with several straight-line crossings directly over
the compound at 75-100 feet altitude.
6. Some of the results of this test which indicate cor-
rective measures are:
a. The 3414 film is highly sensitive to the humidity
buildup in the dark bag used for the camera loading. This
causes a degradation in film resolution, a defocusing of
the camera due to warpage of the film, and a sticky texture
of the film which unduly loads down the camera motor.
b. An additional silver cell battery (4 grams) was
required to provide reliable camera operation in the field.
c. The timing circuit failed due to lack of proper
potting and did not fit well in the forward fairing.
d. There was a lack of selection of neutral density
filters for use with the 3400 film. The filter used caused
the film to be underexposed.
e. The recommended developer (MX-819) for the 3414
film did not appear to work as well as the more conventional
D-19 developer. Development should be undertaken only by
experts familiar with this highly specialized film.
7. At this time, the following actions are under way:
a. The timing circuit has been reconfigured to fit
around the camera next to the body of the bird and includes
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Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527519
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527519
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SUBJECT: TCT Activities Regarding Bird Camera
two silver cell batteries. A pull tab around one battery
will start the timer when yanked out. A dummy configura-
tion including camera and timer will be sent to
next week for checking compatibility with the bird.
b. Camera #1 has been modified to provide a con-
tinuous film speed of 0.44 inch per second. This will
compensate exactly for linear image motion blurring when
the bird is at 100 feet altitude flying at 54 mph, or at
75 feet altitude flying at 37 mph. It is felt that on an
average this will reduce motion blurring by at least a
factor of two. This camera is in the mail and will be
tested next week agai.nst moving targets (resolution chart
on a car).
c. An appointment has been made to see
(Extension 3514) of NPIC on 9 February 1976 Lo discuss -me
possibility of using NPIC to process all 3414 film and pro-
vide guidance on dealing with humidity problems.
d. A series of neutral density filters is being
collected for use with the 3400 film.
e. The new camera has also been modified so that the
film can be attached to the take-up reel prior to going to
the field. This will reduce handling and load time in the
field by a factor of three or four.
f. The design of the larger (lower F number) lens
is completed and will be delivered in early March. This
will allow for a faster shutter speed with the 3414 film
which will further reduce motion blurring. Also, the new
camera (with present lens) will be fitted with a faster
shutter speed for use with 3400 film.
g. Plans are now underway to test the latest modifi-
cations under simulated field conditions in *here
any camera problems can be dealt with directly by Mr.
Hopefully, the film taken during this simulated
field test can be processed by NPIC.
8. At this time, the results of the flight tests indicate
that the original estimate of 1.5-to-2-inch resolution at 100
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Approved for Release': 2019)07/30 C06527519
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SUBJECT: TCT Activities Regarding Bird Camera
feet can be obtained, and the probability of getting several
(five to ten) good pictures of the target per roll of film
is better than originally expected.
Charles N. Adkins
Operations Technology, ORD
Distribution:
0-C/OTD/ORD then file
1-0TD/ORD Chrono
1-ORD Registry
OTD/ORD/DD/SU/CNAdkins:amb/2763
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06527519