RE: the prefect platform for aerial photography
Flyfast1 :
With the ground clearance of the lift master you can strap a very large camcorder to the main gear without a problem.
I have a Friend in FL. that uses a large camcorder on his lift master to record video all over the Orlando area.
It works very well, the plane doesn't even notice the extra load of the recorder and battery packs.
I will ask him to send me some video in a week or so so you can take a look.
It is not a good idea to strap a camera on top of the plane "in line" with the prop wash.
I have tried this in the past with very bad results on other large models