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<font face="Times New Roman">I can't answer the expense problem, but
a few years back our local hist soc held an outdoor event in the
grounds of Waltham Abbey (the ruined abbey not the town), and
decided we'd like some aerial shots. We found a fully qualified
drone operator locally whose main work was surveying people's
roofs etc., and he jumped at the chance to video such an event. Of
course, lots of paperwork was indeed required, especially with
flying near a large crowd, but we managed it and he had the
professional licence.<br>
<br>
The point is that he was so pleased to be allowed to video
something interesting for a change. It would be worth exploring
the issues with drones near an airport - if the operator is fully
trained they may be able to obtain permission under strict
conditions. Plus of course, they will most likely have the very
latest all-singing drone with superb optical capabilities.<br>
<br>
Lastly, if the drone's camera can be set to take multiple still
photos in succession, then they can be processed using
photogrammetry, and that will give you very accurate dimensions in
three axes of all the surfaces that get photographed. This is used
a lot by archaeologists when making aerial surveys of sites and
buildings. In fact, why not approach a nearby archaeological group
for advice and leads?<br>
<br>
Lawrence Greenall<br>
<br>
Lawrence<br>
</font><br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 09/03/2022 10:58, c.j.pickford---
via Bell-historians wrote:<br>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">I
used one – quite expensively! – to look at a couple of
turret bells in Luton a few months before the first
lockdown. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">In
one case, where the far side of the turret is completely
invisible from the adjacent land we got a good result – a
clear reading of the inscription. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">In
the other, where the bell is quite high but partly concealed
under a roof extension gable – we didn’t get anything better
than I’d already obtained with a long lens (I now have a
decent telephoto lens and intend to have another go next
time I’m passing). In that case, there is a small maker’s
badge on the waist and the drone couldn’t get close enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">We
couldn’t even attempt to use the drone at a third church –
again, the inscription is on the far side of the bell and
not visible from the ground at all. It’s close to Luton
airport and in a zone where drone flying is strictly
controlled. A reminder that there are rules regarding the
use of drones and proper permissions are needed to fly on
church property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">The
other problem is wind. It was quite windy on the day in
question and only just safe to fly the drone. The drone was
buffeted by the wind and thus not stable enough to get very
clear photos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US">It
was worth a try, and I was pleased with the one positive
result. But (as Peter Hayward wryly observed shortly
afterwards) the drone can’t measure diameters!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="color:#1F3864">Chris
Pickford</span></i></b><span style="color:#1F3864"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#2F5496">Kinver (UK)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#2F5496">e-mail: </span><a
href="mailto:pickford5040@gmail.com"
moz-do-not-send="true"><span style="color:#0563C1">pickford5040@gmail.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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