News & Articles

Find out about the latest news from NCAP and discover in-depth stories about NCAP collections, activities and projects.

A black and white oblique aerial photo of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The grand white ceremonial arch stands in the middle of a roundabout. Trees surround the roundabout and handsome white buildings stretch into the distance.

A Brief History of Aerial Photography

Aerial photography is almost as old as photography itself. Find out more about the history of the fascinating medium which underpins the NCAP Collection.

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A black and white annotated aerial photo of the Forth Rail Bridge. The bridge and its shadow span the image vertically. The words ‘Firth of Forth’ have been written across it and the word ‘Flak’ in the middle marks the location of anti-aircraft guns.

Aerial photography and the Second World War

Photographic reconnaissance facilitated vital intelligence work on both sides during the Second World War. 

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A stack of 10 thin cardboard boxes for aerial photos. The boxes have labels on them indicating the photos were taken in Sarawak and Sabah between 1945 and 1962. The labels contain information about the sorties and the squadrons that took the photos.

Completion of the Directorate of Overseas Surveys

The Directorate of Overseas Surveys was responsible for a multi-decade mapping project of British overseas territories, resulting in a unique record comprising of over 1.8 million images.

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A large blue industrial building. It has the number 3 on it and the logo of Historic Environment Scotland. At the far end of the building is a bike shelter and two small white vans.

NCAP Moves to Scotland

Learn how the NCAP collection came to be, and why this culturally significant collection is part of Historic Environment Scotland. 

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