Airplane Photography

Abstract

MAJOR IVES was formerly officer in charge of the experimental department of the photographic branch in the American Air Service, and as such he and his collaborators have had access to the information, photographs, and drawings supplied by the Allies to the United States. He has therefore had a unique opportunity of compiling a book describing the practice of air photography in the war and the apparatus employed, an opportunity which has probably not been afforded to any other individual. The work undertaken has been, on the whole, well done, and an interesting book results. The numerous well-printed illustrations form one of the most noteworthy features; they include not only photographs of apparatus, diagrams, and interesting air views, but also many reproductions from the secret official publications of the Intelligence Branch of the British War Office, which have not hitherto been available in England. When looking through the 208 figures, one notices that in a few cases their source is acknowledged, but in the majority of cases figures are copied from English, French, or Italian sources without acknowledgment. Whatever may be said of this free use of English official photographs, the direct reproduction of five well-known diagrams drawn, we believe, by Capt. Durward, R.A.F., and of two tables copied from M. Clerc, without reference to their authors, can scarcely be passed without comment.

Airplane Photography.

By Major H. E. Ives, U.S. Army. Pp. 422. (Philadelphia and London: J. B. Lippincott Co., 1920.) 18s. net.