U.S. Army Air Corps Col. George Goddard developed this revolutionary shutterless camera at Wright Field, Ohio. A synchronizing mechanism matched the speed of the film, as it moved across an open slit, to the airplane's ground speed, producing a continuous strip image. This technique reduced distortion and improved detail in dangerous low-altitude photography from such aircraft as the Lockheed P 38. The camera used black-and-white or color film and a single or stereo lens. The lenses are missing but look like those of the adjacent Solar Strip camera.

Display Status

This object is on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Boeing Aviation Hangar

Object Details

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

EQUIPMENT-Photographic

Physical Description

Gray painted, continuous strip aerial camera. Camera and magazine only; missing lens cone assembly (either 6-inch single lens cone or 88 mm stereoscope cone).

Dimensions

14 x 18 x 11 1/2 in. (35.6 x 45.7 x 29.2 cm)

Materials

OVERALL - ANODIZED STEEL

Inventory Number

A19940187000

Credit Line

GIFT OF GEORGE WOOD

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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