May 15th 1957

[antarmike]

A Vickers Valiant drops Britains first Hydrogen Bomb (Code name Yellow Sun), near Chritmas Island in the Pacific. (as part of Operation Grapple)

 

If you want to see the actual plane you can. XD818 is now part of the Cosworth Collection of preserved Aircraft.

[Joris]

Does it glow in the dark?

[Jessie The Jeep]

.....now part of the Cosworth Collection of preserved Aircraft.

 

The aircraft is part of the Cold War Exhibition at the RAF Museum Cosford, having been at RAF Hendon for many years.

 

Steve

[GPWdriver]

Don't forget that on 11 October 1956, Valiant WZ366 dropped Britain's first atomic bomb at Maralinga, Australia.

 

XD818 always overshadows the orginal A bomb drop. I knew the co pilot of WZ366 for several years.

 

After dropping, the procedure was to do a 180 and run away. The crew were warned about the shock wave from the blast and having felt it shake the aircraft, they all started relaxing. What the boffins forgot to tell them was that another shock wave was reflected from the ground back into the atmosphere............cue a second shake.:-D

 

Practice drops of inert Blue Danube weapons were made on the Jurby ranges, some dropping visually. Allegedly, one of these visual drops caused a stir when the bomb appeared to be formating beneath the Valiant! this was caused by the nature of the airflow around the bomb bay.

[antarmike]

And also in may, May 18th 1951 saw the first flight of the Valiant.

[Tony B]

The live parts of the bomb are reputed to have been moved from Aldermaston in the back of a couple of scientists cars. One broke down on the way.

[AndyFowler]

Don't forget that on 11 October 1956, Valiant WZ366 dropped Britain's first atomic bomb at Maralinga, Australia.

 

XD818 always overshadows the orginal A bomb drop. I knew the co pilot of WZ366 for several years.

 

After dropping, the procedure was to do a 180 and run away. The crew were warned about the shock wave from the blast and having felt it shake the aircraft, they all started relaxing. What the boffins forgot to tell them was that another shock wave was reflected from the ground back into the atmosphere............cue a second shake.:-D

 

Practice drops of inert Blue Danube weapons were made on the Jurby ranges, some dropping visually. Allegedly, one of these visual drops caused a stir when the bomb appeared to be formating beneath the Valiant! this was caused by the nature of the airflow around the bomb bay.

 

Some footage here ! Shows the preparation and the tanks, artillery and vehicles of the day being subjected to the bomb !:cry:http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=74169

[lightweight]

Have I lost a couple of months?

 

Pretty sure it's only February here in Kent - are we behind the times?:cool2:

[antarmike]

Have I lost a couple of months?

 

Pretty sure it's only February here in Kent - are we behind the times?:cool2:

Look at the date on the first post......... You are not only a few months adrift from the times but also a few years.

[lightweight]

Look at the date on the first post......... You are not only a few months adrift from the times but also a few years.

 

Aah - not the first time, it's an age thing methinks!