Historic Aerial Photo Resources

[PNK]

Now this is something I get very excited about - don't know why I just do!
I have spent many happy hours searching the web for historic aerial photos of the UK.
A number have now gone or no longer showing older stock but below are some that I have found useful. I have checked them as I have posted them so they worked on the post date.
Please add to the list if you find any more.

http://map.dcda.org.uk/dcda/display.php (Dorset Coastline 1946 and 1970's)

http://www.cyberheritage.org/1946_plymo ... _files.zip (Plymouth area 1946 - incl RAF Bolthead but in ECW format)

http://www.geog.sussex.ac.uk/grc/info/a ... -historic/ (Sussex 1946 but limited coverage)

http://mario.lancashire.gov.uk/ (Lancashire 1946 and 1960's)

http://www.noah.norfolk.gov.uk/default.aspx (Norfolk 1946 and 1988 - Individual frames only)

http://maps.cheshire.gov.uk/tithemaps/TwinMaps.aspx (Cheshire 1970)

http://www.historic-maps.norfolk.gov.uk ... plorer.asp (Norfolk 1946 and 1988 seamless and large)

For modern aerial photos the usual suspect of Google Earth and Flash Earth are the best but 192.com doesn't include some more recent stuff from Getmapping.

Coverage of Northern Ireland is sparse but Flash Earth http://www.flashearth.com/
Does have limited coverage using Google or Yahoo and includes Aldergrove, Nutts Corner, Sydenham, Long Kesh, Langford Lodge, Newtonards and Mullaghmore.

Of the ones that have gone http://www.ukaerialphotos.com/ was the most important along with http://www.shockymap.com/timemachine/index.htm.
The former is still active but no longer has any 1940's stuff. If anyone knows what happened I would be interested to know.

[PNK]

Has anyone made use of http://www.historicaerials.com/?

I had a look at what is available for some airfields and in some cases there is something for each decade from the 1940's to the '00's.
The only problem is that each frame is around £75 to £171, too expensive to even consider and to get total coverage would be around 4 frames!
Has anyone bought any 1940's 1950's aerial photos and if so where from and was the price reasonable?

I did get 5 aerial photo's of the area around my house in photocopy form from English Heritage for £15 cover 1947 - 1990 but that service seems to have stopped.

Peter

[PNK]

Just noticed that Getmapping has Historic Aerial Photos listed as available on their site. Can't figure out how to view them though, unless they expect you to buy in the hope that it shows the airfield you are after?

[PNK]

***UPDATE***

The Getmapping site now has viewable Historic Aerials as another date tab on their viewer.

It covers a large chunk of southern England including some of the west midlands, Norfolk, Lancashire, Durham and of particular note the area between Dundee and Montrose. This area of Scotland is new to the internet as far as I know and includes the following airfields: Arbroath, Tealing, Stracathro, Kinnell, East Haven, Montrose and Edzell.

The dates are quoted as 1940-47 but in Edzells case it could be a bit later as there is a huge circle in the middle of the airfield which I thought was a much later addition. There is some stiching of different periods and this could explain why part of the airfield is crisp whilst the landing aera is fuzzy.

[PNK]

Found this on taking aerial photos from Tomorrows World in 1970. Mention is made of scanning and computerising. You forget that computers were around then.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/aerialj...?all=2&id=5320

[buccaneer66]

You can request aerial photo's from Ordnance Survey under the freedom of Information Act, & you need to put Freedom of Information in your email title so that it gets past the spam filters.


Applications under the FOIA 2000

Under the FOIA anyone is entitled to request information not otherwise publicly available. (Please note that if you are requesting details relating to yourself or any other living person, the request will be processed under the Data Protection Act
Three of the main features of the FOIA are:

• A general right of access to information held by Ordnance Survey, subject to certain conditions and exemptions, in that we must state whether or not we hold the information requested, and communicate that information to the applicant.
• Some information may be withheld as it might be exempted from disclosure. Except where an absolute exemption applies, Ordnance Survey must inform the applicant why the information is not being released, otherwise known as the Public Interest test, where we must show that maintaining the exemption in question outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Ordnance Survey is obliged to respond within 20 working days of receipt of a request.

How do I make a request?

Applications should be in writing and may be submitted by letter or email. So that we can respond fully, they should include your name and correspondence address (email address where applicable). You should also provide as much detail as possible to enable Ordnance Survey to identify the information sought. If information is required in a particular way, for example, a photocopy or on computer disk, this should also be stated in the application. If you have difficulty in identifying the precise information you require, or difficulty in making the application in writing, please contact our staff, who will be pleased to help you. Telephone 08456 05 05 05 or use the email address below.
Requests for information under the FOIA should be addressed to:
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Romsey Road
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 4GU
Or email customerservices@ordnancesurvey.co.uk

[buccaneer66]

I've just had a response back from The National Monument Record Office which is part of English Heritage, I enquired about aerial photo's of RAF Desborough & They have 6 obliques & 67 vertical photo's ranging from 1941 to 1993 so it would seem to be the ideal place to find pictures of your favourite airfield as they don't just hold aerial photo's.

[PNK]

We have covered EH aerials on another thread but as it has taken an hour to view 5 threads I won't search for it.

I would say EH is the best place to go. They don't seem to charge for low quality photo copies of frames but I have used both the Laser and Photo quality Prints and both are corrected for you. The laser is cheaper but the quality is very good. The photo prints rate as excellent (depending on original of course). Check the frame coverage though because the radius of search can include open fields on some frames. If in doubt get a photocopy before you order prints.

[OneEighthBit]

Out of curiosity, how many here use Memory Map Navigator? I've been converting a lot of my aerial imagery collection for use in it and it's working quite well. Only downside is that a big bomber airfield map can come to about 26Mb!

[buccaneer66]

I'm making an appointment with the NMR public viewing room in Swindon so that I can select which pictures that I want from those found.

Is memory map worth having?