Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a camera on an aircraft, such as a helicopter, comprising a camera housing for holding a camera and a camera support section including a linkage system for mounting the camera housing to the underside of the aircraft in a manner permitting movement between a retracted position proximate the aircraft fuselage and an extended position below the plane of the landing skids to facilitate 360.degree. photography. The mechanism includes a motor driven actuator for positioning the support section between limit positions and a manual back-up system in the event that the motor driven system becomes inoperable.