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RE: Have you ever seen one of these.
It is a very ancient 'Mag' survey plane. (Magnetic survey). As you say, they are used to record relative magnetic readings from the earth below. The lower you fly, the more accurate, to a degree. Beware a mag map with lots of contour lines on it! How did they fly that low?
Mag surveys are expensive and generally point geologists in the direction of where to carry out 'exploration'. Geologists use them on the basis that if there is a band of mineral x and then an intrusion of mineral y, given the area and prevailing geological patterns, then point A holds a high probability of containing mineral z.
Nowadays helicopters can carry new smaller equipment.
the contour lines were likely just super-imposed later from other accurate sources.
They used these ancient ones a lot for identifying Kimberlites over vast distances under deep covers of desert sand.
Thank you @gavvet for the update and explanation. I actually wondered, after I had commented rather hastily, whether they were using some sort of long wave technology for some purpose, rather like submarines do.
I am no geologist but I am involved in mining is Sth America.
Thank you again for your high standards! Namaste!