History < About us | Hansa Luftbild

Overview

The year of Hansa Luftbild’s founding was marked by political unrest, economic storms, and a mood for radical change.

Aero Lloyd Luftbild GmbH was established from the aerial photography branch of Deutsche Luftreederei GmbH. The new company was to be a trail-blazer in new techniques and the commercial application of photogrammetry methods using aerial photography. The newly named Hansa Luftbild GmbH which became a subsidiary of the young Lufthansa in 1926 swiftly gained importance through the acquisition and execution of exclusive and challenging survey projects - particularly in the 30’s – and an international reputation. China, Antarctica, Greenland and Africa were at that time the global ‘playing field’ of Hansa Luftbild.

One of Hansa Luftbild’s projects during the 40’s was the production of the German national base map. The end of the war and the regaining of air sovereignty brought a new beginning in Muenster. The earlier occupying forces assisted as new allies as did corporations of the new Republic. The services of Hansa Luftbild’s aircraft were required for reorganization and rebuilding after the destruction. Aircraft and survey techniques continued to expand and develop. New aircraft were needed, since the 70’s digital techniques had proliferated in photogrammetry and cartography. New navigation systems such as GPS simplified the pinpointing of flight routes. The better and more modern the technology, the more productive and efficient the staff, the greater Hansa Luftbild’s competitive edge became not only in national and but also in international markets.

And that will remain the case in the new millennium.

Poster 1919

Hansa Luftbild Logo until 1976

The 20’s – foundation period

A time of growth was seen during the 20’s in German air transportation. This was accompanied by development and growth in aerial photography, survey techniques and commercial considerations.

Dornier aircraft "Merkur", Junkers Plant, Dessau

The 30’s – expedition period

The idea of employing aerial photogrammetry as a system of information capture in China originated with a group of Austrian consultants to the hydraulic engineering authority of Zhejiang province in Hang-Chou. The first aerial survey took place on 2nd June 1931 and the project was completed in 1933. For China that was the beginning of aerial photography and photogrammetry.

Photographer Max Bundermann, expedition to the Antarctic

The 40’s – war period

By 1939 Hansa Luftbild was equipped with 20 stereoplanigraphs, 20 rectifiers and 15 large format aerial cameras. Head office was in Berlin-Tempelhof. In Muenster, the largest branch office, a custom built office was erected in 1938. The company at that time had a total of 400 employees.
The future of the young company looked rosy. By 1945 Hansa Luftbild had produced aerial photographs covering an area of 53,200 square kilometres in Germany, excluding the German national base map at scale 1:5,000. In 1945 the company completely collapsed due to resolutions passed by the Allied powers.

Stereoplotters, Berlin 1940

The 50’s – rebuilding period

The new beginning in Muenster with the post-war non-incriminating company name "Plan und Karte GmbH", initially limited itself simply to surveying and production of drawings. The company had its first real break in 1955 when the Federal Republic regained air sovereignty.

The need for mapping and planning after the destruction of the war was enormous. Additionally, in the meantime, environmental and city planners had come to recognise the worth of aerial photography.

In 1953 Hansa Luftbild GmbH took over existing property and buildings of "Plan und Karte GmbH". It was only at the end of the 50’s that Hansa Luftbild once again began to systematically rebuild its international operations.

Photographic reproduction and cartographic work.

The 60’s – road construction period

Since the beginning of the sixties Hansa Luftbild aircraft have taken off from the airport known at that time as Greven-Huettrup, now known as Muenster-Osnabrueck. It was increasingly evident that for new construction and reconstruction of transport, utility and supply systems photogrammetry was the method of choice.

Westhofener Kreuz, 1964

The 70’s – international period

The 60’s and the 70’s saw a return to a tradition of the 30’s, Hansa Luftbild once again had an overseas presence. The return signalled both Hansa Luftbild’s readiness for calculated risk taking and its professionalism.

The 80's - Technological developments

There was no stopping what began in 1973. Digital technology gradually and completely took over the production area of Hansa Luftbild. Traditional cartography went through a far reaching and profound change. The electronically controlled drawing table Wild Aviotab TA, of the 70’s, was a first in the new digital wave. It was taken into operation at Hansa Luftbild in 1976.

Colour infrared images are particularly helpful in the evaluation of vegetation, tree and bush cover.

The 90’s – a period of borders and challenges

The last decade, the threshold to the new millennium, was a time of large scale projects and work as a main contractor for Hansa Luftbild, a completely new area of operations.

Satellite image of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Third Millennium

At Hansa Luftbild, the new millennium is distinguished by globalization and the formation of networks. Hansa Luftbild is expanding its strategic partnerships and establishing alliances and joint ventures. Hansa Luftbild will also continue to expand its position as a market leader in the future.