DEVICE 5-AQ KITE ELEVATED AERIAL CAMERA Status: Unclassified ITEM 2 Herewith as Supplement #1 ITEM 3 Endorsed as Supplement #1 ITEM 4 Lieut. Cmdr. P.E. Garber - listed in Supplement 1. ITEM 5 (a) The concept of this device was derived from a report of military operations in the Pacific in which several airplanes with highly trained personnel were list in the endeavor to photograph enemy movements. The fatalities were particularly gruesome severe because of the large number of magnesium flares being carried on the photographic planes and which upon being ignited by enemy fire completely destroyed the airplane. When this was described to the project engineer he expressed the opinion that under favorable conditions with a large kite and adequate camera equipment, it might have been possible to take the photographs from aloft without necessity of hazarding personnel. Upon repeating this

opinion to the section head, he was encourage to undertake the production of the necessary equipment. Request for authorization and approval resulted. In the past the project engineer has taken several aerial photographs with a kite elevated camera using a simple box camera and operating the shutter with a rubber band and a piece of fuse or punk, as described in his book "Kites", published by the Boy Scouts of America, 1931. This method would be too crude and unreliable for military purposes, and in the first stage of development now (15 Nov. 1945) being undertaken a light weight camera box of fixed focus, constructed in Special Devices Division shop, is to be attached to a supporting frame in such manner that the camera can be directed front, back, or to either side and inclined downward at any angle. The shutter-opening mechanism is to be activated by either a wind impeller gear-train or a pneumatic timer, whichever proves most suitable. The camera box uses a standard 4" x 5" plate holder. It is expected that with this equipment a number of pictures will be taken to present to the Director and show the feasibility of further development. In its advanced stage it is hoped to perfect a camera which will incorporate a spring-advanced film winder and an electric shutter, both of which can be operated from the ground through wires in the kite line. Although the project engineer is at this date being transferred from the Special Devices Division to undertake assignment in another office, he has requested that he be permitted to retain the Kite Elevated Aerial 2

Camera project and to work on it as opportunities permit, submitting reports from time to time to the Director. (b) Supplement _____ illustrates a rectangular box kite which has recently been completed and flown. It has excellent lift and stability characteristics and should function well as a support for the Aerial Camera. ITEMS 6 to 12 - Reports on these items will be made from time to time as the project is continued. 3