Our Partners The Medmenham Collection

The Medmenham Collection

At the heart of the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP) lies 5.5 million images held by the Allied Central Interpretation Unit (ACIU) during the Second World War. These photographs were gathered and analysed at RAF Medmenham, based in Danesfield House, Buckinghamshire. The crucial contributions of the men and women at Medmenham during the war remain central to NCAP's ongoing mission to this day.

Military Legacy

The Medmenham Association was originally founded as the Medmenham Club in 1946. It was established to help Photographic Interpreters (PIs) who worked at RAF Medmenham during the Second World War stay connected and preserve the camaraderie they enjoyed during their service. Over the years, the Association has grown to include Imagery Analysts (IAs), formerly known as PIs, who have served in operational theaters worldwide throughout the twentieth century.

Members of the Association maintain the Medmenham Collection, a valuable archive of military aerial photographic interpretation and imagery analysis. This collection stretches from the First World War to the end of the Cold War. Elements of the Medmenham Collection are displayed at the Military Intelligence Museum at Chicksands, the Muckleburgh Collection near Cromer, and the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

Preserving Heritage

As a living memorial to the military personnel involved in photographic reconnaissance and intelligence work — especially the many reconnaissance pilots and aircrew who lost their lives — NCAP is proud to maintain its relationship with the Medmenham Association. Together, we digitise and provide access to images from the Medmenham Collection. 

Website imagery

Many of the images found on the NCAP website, primarily those of PIs at work with reconnaissance imagery, are courtesy of the Medmenham Collection and this ongoing partnership.

This includes our ncap.org home page cover image, a larger full copy shown below, which showcases a leading member of the Operation Crossbow team working out of RAF Medmenham, Flight Officer Nora Littlejohn.  

A black and white photo of a woman sitting at a desk. She is holding a small photo in her left hand and making notes on a larger photo with her right. A black lamp is suspended over the desk.
Image courtesy of the Medmenham Collection.

Additionally, our key image on our Air Photo Finder is one of the Photographic Interpreters of Z Section on the terrace of Danesfield House at the close of the Second World War.

A black and white photo of a grand, white house. On the steps in front of the house is a big group of men and women wearing a variety of uniforms. There is a tree trimmed into a spiral shape in the right foreground.
Image courtesy of the Medmenham Collection.

Medmenham Association - external  Medmenham Collection - external

IN THIS SECTION

A long, low profile building fills the frame. It has lots of square edges and sharp angles, and our view of it is partially blocked by spindly trees and dense, low bushes. The photograph has been taken at night, and the clear, dark blue sky glows behind the building. Three rows of windows are illuminated with orange light from inside.

Directorate of Overseas Surveys Partnership

Working with Stockholm University and the University of California (Berkeley), this partnership delivered a pioneering digitisation programme.  

Edinburgh International Data Facility

Our research collaboration with the EIDF facilitates access to high-performance computing infrastructure, enabling the development of advanced algorithms and creation of analytics-ready datasets.

Irish Defence Forces

NCAP has been working with the Irish Defence Forces to digitise tens of thousands of aerial photographic images and associated records held by the Irish Military Archives.

National Archives and Records Administration

In 2016, NCAP began a partnership with NARA to copy its extensive holdings of aerial photography, with a particular focus on images from the Second World War.

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

NCAP has been working with the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales to digitise tens of thousands of aerial photographic images held in The National Monuments Record of Wales.