About NCAP Operating Model
A black and white historic photo of a library. Rows of metal shelving stretch into the distance, each holding numerous numbered cardboard print boxes. 3 people in uniform stand at various points in the library, searching for boxes.

RAF Medmenham, Allied Central Interpretation Unit, Print Library
Image courtesy the Medmenham Collection (MC MH 011)

Operating Model

NCAP has a requirement to balance our statutory and curatorial responsibilities - which emphasise the primary importance of our custodianship of an internationally significant collection of historical aerial imagery - with the need to ensure a sustainable financial model.

Responsibilities

NCAP holds tens of millions of high-resolution, analogue aerial images, most of which are UK government public records declassified by the Ministry of Defence. We preserve this unique imagery as an official Place of Deposit under Section 4(1) of the Public Records Act (1958). When awarding this status, The National Archives commended our state-of-the-art facilities, our innovative digitisation methods, and our commercial model. Most importantly, they praised our dedication to safeguarding and opening access to these internationally significant collections. This endorsement highlights NCAP's leadership role in managing and protecting declassified aerial imagery of places around the world.

 

Costs

NCAP strives to be a world-leader in the preservation, digitisation and online dissemination of historical aerial imagery. The preservation of the records in our care, their digitisation, the storage of the digital files and making imagery publicly accessible all come with significant costs. These operational and development costs are funded through commercial income generation and grant funding.

 

Commercial Income

The use of historical aerial photography by the European bomb disposal market forms the core of our current business. We supply the aerial imagery used to locate unexploded Second World War bombs and to identify contaminated land where development is being planned throughout much of Europe. We are increasingly diversifying our customer base beyond the risk management sector, beyond Europe, and to businesses working on environmental and land use change issues.

NCAP trades through Historic Environment Scotland Enterprises Limited.

IN THIS SECTION

Four white and grey image scanners are spaced across a line of desks. Five blue and black film winders are spaced between the scanners. Each winder has a roll of black film on it. A section of a screen is in partial focus in the top right corner of the frame.

Our Mission

With a responsibility for 30 million aerial photographic images, our goal is to preserve them and make them accessible for present and future generations.

A historic black and white photo of a group of people in uniform on a flight of steps outside a grand, mock-Tudor house.

Our History

Our origins are rooted in the development of the Allied Central Interpretation Unit during the Second World War, but the oldest images in NCAP date back over 100 years.

A black and white historic photo of 4 women in uniform working in an office. Large windows are visible in the background. 2 of the women face the camera, 2 are sitting with their backs to the camera. Metal film canisters cover almost every surface.

Our Team

Meet the team of dedicated technicians, historians, analysts, cataloguers, data managers and robots who deliver NCAPs collections to the public every day.

A historic black and white photo of a group of people in uniform, some sitting and some standing behind them.

Our Partners

We collaborate with organisations from around the world with the common goal of facilitating access to aerial photographic collections.

A screenshot of a digital map of England, Wales, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, indicating 91,683 photos available. There are numerous blue numbered dots showing where each photo is and how many are in each location.

Release Notes Overview

Explore newly released aerial imagery on our online portal, with detailed summaries of each batch from NCAP and partner collections.

Two figures fill the right side of the frame, and sit in front of a computer workstation on the left. The figure on the right has short, dark brown hair an is wearing a grey jumper. The figure on the right has long red hair and wears glasses with a dark frame and a dark blue top. The figure on the right is pointing at the screen. Two frames black and white images are displayed on the grey walls around them.

Volunteer

Growing our network of partners includes reaching out to a knowledgeable and engaged public for volunteer opportunities.