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+"Namu Bikini Atoll Marshall Islands" +1956 stock footage and images
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U.S. Nuclear test "Cherokee" in Operation Redwing, off Namu Island, Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.
First air drop test of a thermonuclear weapon. The Hydrogen bomb nuclear weapon was dropped from a USAF B-52 bomber (not seen) that flew from Fred Island, Eniwetak (sometimes spelled Enewetak or Eniewetok), on May 21, 1956. View appears to be from an aircraft flying above altocumulus clouds, below higher stratiform layers. The film begins with a complete whiteout from the initial fireball. As that subsides, local stratiform clouds take on a rosy hue and the center fireball is seen rising above them. As the fireball rises, it takes on a somewhat hemispherical shape, flat on the bottom, from which a straight stem-like column extends toward the ground. The light of the explosion slowly fades and complete darkness ensues. Official accounts state that the intended ground zero was directly over Namu Island, but the flight crew mistook an observation facility on a different island for their targeting beacon with the result that the weapon delivery was grossly in error. The bomb detonated some 4 miles off target over the ocean northeast of Namu. As a result essentially all of the weapons effects data was lost. ( Note: According to ancillary reports, the delivery error resulted in blast overpressures and thermal effects on the 6 structural response targets between Iroij and Namu Islands, greatly exceeding specifications for any use in scientific military modeling of high yield aerial detonations. Plans for graded damages analysis failed when all the structures collapsed. Effects cameras also failed from the intense fireball heat.)
Preparations and blast of Hydrogen Bomb at 15000 feet over the Pacific.
Hydrogen bomb exploded in open air test at 15000 feet over the Pacific. Weather airplane circles the disaster area. In preparation for the explosion, skiffs carrying radiation detection devices are lowered and anchored at strategic points in blast area. Trace rockets ready to be launched that will capture samples of radioactive clouds. Admiral B Haw Hamlin inspects the area. B-52 Commander, Major Dave Crichlor briefs the crew members. The Crew of B-52 Bomber drops thermonuclear hydrogen bomb from fifty five thousand feet to explode fifteen thousand feet over the target area where these instruments will measure heat and radiation. View of the target island of Namu in Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands, outlined with a cross of lights and its radar installations. View of the large nuclear bomb explosion as it spreads in the area. Observers close their eyes as the light is very strong.