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The 7th Photographic Group (variously known as 7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, 7th Photographic Group ((Reconnaissance)), and 7th Reconnaissance Group) was activated on 1 May 1943 and assigned to the Eighth Air Force on 7 July 1943. The group was tasked to obtain information about bombardment targets and damage inflicted by bombardment operations; provide mapping service for air and ground units; observe and report on enemy transportation, installations, and positions; and obtain data on weather conditions. This collection consists of a photo album documenting the history and activities of the unit.
NASM.XXXX.0669
7th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group
1943-1945
Unknown, material found in collection, NASM.XXXX.0669
0.24 Cubic feet (1 flat box)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection consists of a 90 page photo album (unbound); each page is assembled from a montage of photographs, drawings (usually charcoal sketches), and/or typed text labels, with professionally hand-drawn graphic titles. The completed page setup was photographed and printed as a 9 x 9 inch copy photograph which was then mounted onto a 9.4 x 12.4 inch black paper album page. Mounts have been removed from the first 12 pages. Pages are numbered 1 through 91; page 80 is missing from the set.
The first portion of the album presents an overview of the reconnaissance unit's activities, showing bombardment damage to German industrial targets, airfields, and V-2 rocket launch sites, and reconnaissance support for the US Army advance across France following D-Day. Also depicted are the dangers faced by reconnaissance pilots (shown flying the Lockheed F-5 Lightning) from "Weather, Fighters, and Flak!" Later portions of the album show assorted views of England, including unidentified rural areas as well as noted landmarks in London, Oxford, Windsor, and Stratford-upon-Avon. There are several pages showing visits by celebrities including Bing Crosby. A couple of pages show assorted aircraft in flight, including the North American P-51 Mustang, Boeing B-17 Superfortress, and Supermarine Spitfire in USAAF markings.
Collection is a single item which is in page number order.
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7th Photo Group History Photograph Album, NASM.XXXX.0669, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
V-2 rocket
Aerial reconnaissance
North American P-51 Mustang Family
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Family
Supermarine Spitfire Family
Aeronautics
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photograph albums