Eyespy - my Eye in the Sky!

I have been interested in photography for a long time and as a geologist have used airphotos extensively in mineral exploration.  Often, we require air photography at a scale which is not available from commercial sources.  In the past, automatic advancing film cameras have been too cumbersome and heavy for practical air photography from models.

With the exploding development of digital cameras, both in weight reduction and increasing image resolution, it is not difficult to produce a model weighing less than a couple of pounds, capable of obtaining professional quality aerial photographs at a fraction of the cost of  photography from full size aircraft.  While, not a substitute for full size aircraft photography, there are instances which require rapid mobilization or operation in restricted areas, which can be better handled by a well operated model borne camera system.  

The Eyespy has been developed as a lightweight workable airphoto system with commercial potential, capable of acquiring high quality airphotos to suit many needs.

The model has been developed over the past three years and so far six models have been built and extensively flown. in a wide range of weather conditions ( as low as -22 deg C). Minor modifications have been incorporated to strengthen the  structure and improve stability.

The fuselage pod is a horizontal crutch on a carbon boom which supports moulded glass and kevlar shells.  This gives good internal space for  camera equipment.

The "Taco Shell" fibreglass construction is not as complex as it apppears.  Glass cloth is laid up as the "meat" in a flat acetate/glass/acetate sandwich. the sandwich is then wrapped around the balsa fuselage and taped in place. When the moulding is cured, the tape and moulding is removed. The acetate is removed and the glass shell is trimmed and glued on the fuselage frame.  The tail boom is a carbon golf club shaft.