10 
USAF TYPE T-ll MAPPING CAMERA 
There remains the task of positioning the film shrinkage markers and instal 
lation of transparent windows etched with the calibrated focal length and lens 
serial numbers. These windows provide the means of recording these data on the 
aerial negative as well as permanently identifying the lens cone. When com 
pleted, the lens cone can be installed in any T-ll camera body. If anything 
should happen to the lens cone while in operational use, the repairman can 
quickly replace the damaged lens cone with another calibrated lens cone sup 
plied as spare parts, and continue with the project. 
When the camera has been completely assembled, it is placed in a standard 
fiberglass carrying case containing molded Paratex pads. This carrying case, 
with the pads, represents a major advancement in the aerial photographic 
equipment field. The case provides complete protection to the equipment against 
shock due to dropping or tumbling, rain, humidity, sand and dust, salt spray, 
fungus and even submersion in water. 
In operational use the camera can be placed in the Type A-28 gyro stabilized 
camera mount and also in single-vertical, split vertical or trimetrogon installa 
tions. For the multicamera stations, a locating pin is being furnished on the 
camera mounting ring in order to establish exact azimuth between cameras in a 
common mount. 
To summarize briefly, the present day T-ll mapping camera fulfills all the 
basic requirements for precision mapping photography taken under normal con 
ditions. The camera has been made precise, simple, rugged and has been fur 
nished maximum protection when not in use. However, with the coming of im 
provements in lenses, sensitized materials and shutters, and with the require 
ment for forward motion compensation, this camera will have to take its place 
on the shelf with its predecessors. Even today new distortion free lenses have 
been designed and manufactured and it is known that research is being con 
ducted on more stable base materials that might be sensitized for use as aerial 
film. With such advancements in the field as these, the future should hold much 
promise for greatly improved aerial surveying equipment and techniques. Until 
such time as these advancements are realized, the T-ll camera should be a very 
useful and flexible surveying tool.