National Collection of Aerial Photography shares exclusive photos from D-Day

Ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a selection of images have been released from the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP). Captured during numerous reconnaissance sorties flown throughout 6 June 1944, NCAP’s archives include over 7,750 images recording this momentous day. These photos offer a comprehensive visual narrative of one of the most consequential days of the twentieth century. To learn more about the 30 million images in the archive, please visit ncap.org.uk.

The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), part of Historic Environment Scotland, holds one of the world's most significant aerial photography collections with 30 million images. This archive offers a unique view of key moments in world history, including rare images from the 1920s and declassified Ministry of Defence reconnaissance imagery from WWII and the Cold War.

NCAP has become the leading repository for managing aerial photographic collections, continuously acquiring imagery from various survey and research projects while pioneering new digitisation efforts to make these collections more widely available. With access to images from every continent, many of which were previously unavailable to the public, NCAP provides a unique dataset that is attracting new users and applications. In the coming months, new online platforms will make it even easier to discover these collections.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.

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