Assembly images of common camera platform to be used to photograph the 23 November 2003 total solar eclipse from QF 2901 - the Croydon/QANTAS total solar eclipse flight over Antarctica.

Cabling for computer equipment and electronic camera interfaces not shown.

Note: Light weighting of appx 1.25 lbs by load-symmetrically removing non-structural portions of platform still to be done.

Note: Small sliding counterweights near COG (in X and Y) to be added.

Suspended from Slightly forward of X/Y Plane Center-of-Gravity (COG) so Line-of-Site is elevated 15 degrees.

Top Left: Nikon F5 with 80-400mm VR lens at 400mm focus
Top Right: SBIG CCD camera with 400mm lens + green filter assembly
Bottom Left: Sony 900 DV Camera
Bottom Middle: Horizontal Kenyon KS-8 Gyro (Vertical in front) along COG
Bottom Right: Pentax with 500mm lens

Width (Left-to-Right) = 12 inches

Bottom View (Back to Left of Image)

Long Axis of Horizontal Gyro along GC parallel to Site Lines
Long Axis of Vertical Gyro intersects Horizontal Gyro Long Axis
Platform "Front-to-Back" CG at location of right side pistol grip carry handle (top of image)
Handle on left side (bottom in image) slightly forward of COG

Length (Front-to-Back) = 15.75 inches {for CCD camera+lens/filter}

Front Bottom View from Beneath

Left Side View - Suspended forward of  COG for 15 degree elevation

Front View with Optics co-Aligned Hanging from COG

NOTE: Carry Grip and adjustment handle removable for suspended use with Gyros

 1) Added +/- Y axis Sliding Counter Weight through CG
 2) Added +/- X axis Sliding Counter Weight through CG
 3) Added -Y Fixed Counter Weight for 15° Preset Elevation
 4) Shown with handles removed (as will be used)
 5) Shown with electronics/cables connected (not final cable configuration)
 6) Shown in my messy garage, background not edited out.

Tuned for 15° Elevation.

Cabling NOT in final configuration.

X Sliding Weight passes under U-bracket  upon which Bungie hangs the rig at the CG,
Y Sliding Weight is slightly to the right of the Y axis CG.
-Y Fixed Counterweight gives 15° Elevation With Bungie in forward position on U-bracket and both sliders at mid travel.

Alligator clips for CCD +12V battery to be replaced with locking insulated "disconnects".

Face-on view of cameras.  Vertical Gyro seen between 500mm cat lens and video guide camera.

Here, at half size, is what the Macintosh Display Screen Looks Like:

Clocks not synchronized - they will be in real-life!
What is displayed:
 Top Left: "Selected Waypoints" for aircraft and umbra time/position and eclipse geoemetry
 Top Right: EFLIGHT graphics display
 Center Left: Video streaming as recorded from guide video camera (simulated eclipse image, from TSE 2001)
 Center: UMBRAPHILE exposure table for 35mm cameras
 Bottom Left: UMBRAPHILE timer window
 Bottom Left of Center: Local Circumstances for mid-eclipse Intercept
 Bottom Right of Center: Instantaneous Sun/Moon Position/Orientation graphic against Alt/Az grid
 

And... Here is how it is hanging.
Bungie cord goes to rotating clip/link, which goes to locking link.
Locking link is hanging here on hook.  Arrangement in aircraft TBD.
(Here a second smaller link, unused, is hanging loose - just so I didn't
loose it at that moment).