Arctic Aerial Mapping and Reconnaissance by Canadian and U.S. Survey Teams (1920s–1960s)

1. Canada begins federal aerial photo archiving

   Jan 1, 1920Labels: National Air, Canadian federal

   • NRCan NAPL

2. Fairchild Aerial Surveys of Canada is formed

   Jan 1, 1922Labels: Fairchild Aerial

   • Fairchild Aircraft
   • Fairchild Bio

3. Hudson Strait ice survey uses aircraft

   Jan 1, 1927Labels: Hudson Strait

   • Hudson Strait

4. U.S. Navy launches Operation Nanook in Greenland

   Jul 22, 1946Labels: Operation Nanook, U S

   • Nanook
   • Northwind

5. Canadian Arctic magnetic work relies on aircraft access

   Jan 1, 1947Labels: Canadian magnetic

   • Polar Record

6. Canada proposes postwar high-altitude mapping program

   Jan 1, 1947Labels: High-altitude mapping, Canadian government

   • Mapping Study

7. Spartan Air Services begins federal photo deliveries

   Jul 1, 1951Labels: Spartan Air, P-38 aircraft

   • Mapping Study
   • NRCan NAPL

8. Photographic Survey Corporation joins national coverage effort

   Oct 1, 1951Labels: Photographic Survey, B-17 aircraft

   • Mapping Study
   • NRCan NAPL

9. Canada–U.S. agree to build the DEW Line

   Feb 15, 1954Labels: DEW Line, Canada U

   • DEW Line
   • Smithsonian

10. IGY drives new Arctic field programs and logistics

    Jul 1, 1957Labels: International Geophysical

    • IGY
    • Polar Record

11. DEW Line becomes operational across the Arctic

    Jul 31, 1957Labels: DEW Line, Arctic operations

    • DEW Line
    • Smithsonian

12. Contract surveys extend high-altitude coverage to Arctic islands

    Jan 1, 1961Labels: Contract surveys, Arctic Archipelago

    • Mapping Study

13. Gap flights continue to finish the mapping program

    Jan 1, 1963Labels: Gap flights, Survey teams

    • Mapping Study

14. A national aerial photo archive supports ongoing Arctic mapping

    Dec 31, 1963Labels: National Air, Aerial archive

    • NRCan NAPL