Aerial infrared photography

[CJE]

In April 1940, the French experimented IR cameras for aerial reconnaissance.
Has anyone heard of such experiments in the LW?

Thanks.

[ChrisMAg2]

Not of such experiments. But I remember, the LW did have (limited amounts) IR film for their recce cameras. In how far they made big or regular use of it, I can't tell you.

[Pilot]

I have to check out for correct sources but some more then decade ago one researcher in Russia published article about the VVS camouflage and markings and he state that due to the use of the IR cameras by Luftwaffe, Soviet changed camouflage into the "undefined type" [sorry for bad translation] and the form of airplane due to this scheme is not easy to spot in IR films. That change in camouflage happen in 1942.

If this is of interest I will find source of this info.

[kurlannaiskos]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I have to check out for correct sources but some more then decade ago one researcher in Russia published article about the VVS camouflage and markings and he state that due to the use of the IR cameras by Luftwaffe, Soviet changed camouflage into the "undefined type" [sorry for bad translation] and the form of airplane due to this scheme is not easy to spot in IR films. That change in camouflage happen in 1942.

If this is of interest I will find source of this info.

Yes , I would be very interested in such information.
(even if it is still in Russian)
the date of 1942 suggest the switch from AII to AMT finishes.

[Kari Lumppio]

Originally Posted by Pilot

I have to check out for correct sources but some more then decade ago one researcher in Russia published article about the VVS camouflage and markings and he state that due to the use of the IR cameras by Luftwaffe, Soviet changed camouflage into the "undefined type" [sorry for bad translation] and the form of airplane due to this scheme is not easy to spot in IR films. That change in camouflage happen in 1942.

If this is of interest I will find source of this info.

Hello!

I think the article would be "Palitra vojny" by A.Averin. In Russian aviation magazine MIG, 1/94, p.20-29. I know I have photocopies somewhere.

Kari

[Pilot]

Sorry I am late- i was bad health last week. I will try to find this material somewhere in my bulk of material. To regret I have no scaner but I have also authorised translation from Russian and this could help. But just to note- this is just one sentences where is that info about IR mentioned.

Cheers

[kurlannaiskos]

Thank You Pilot.
I look forward to anything on this subject that is presented.

[Chris Going]

A way of getting a sidelight on this is to look at CIOS, BIOS FIAT and CAFT (I think) reports, a few of which deal with photographic film and paper manufacture and use. In the Bios report on the works at ?Wulfen (IIRC) there were statistics on the manufacture and use of films/prints, and I think there was information on Infra red there. There are runs of BIOS reports here in Cambridge, and at Duxford (Imperial War Museum holdings), and doubtless in the USNA. Shall be in Duxford in january and will check if this is needed.


best


Chris

[Pilot]

To regret I have dig every corner in my room but failed to get the source material. I know that that was fanzine made in the early ’90 somewhere in Russia and freely distributed among the modelers. Can not remember the name of publication or the article. But I have keep translation in Serbian and here is my attempt to make it in English:


Experience gained from the first war year state that camouflage pattern used does not perform satisfactory protection in the different environments. The fact that enemy reconnaissance airplanes used films sensitive on various range of spectrum made additional disturbance. In this reason in the mid of 1942 were decided to make "non defined colors"....

Author is V. I. Romanov from Viljnus. Original text from Russian was translated by professor Vasilije Stojanovic and this is first detailed study of the camouflage colors of the Soviet Union I have ever seen.