Summary of Special Mission (Cont'd)
3.
MISSION ACTIVITIES:
as, Weather reconnaissance of the Eniwctok area, enroute to Bikini,
and in the Bikini area was preformed ab 10,000! true altitude with a
CAS of 195, and in accordance with peragraph 3b {2)(a), Task Group 7.4
Operations Order NO 2-54,
reported-every 15 mimtes.
The winds {radar Winds) and the weather were
b.
Weather reports during reconnaissance were relayed by the co-pilot
c.
Upwind weather run from Bikini area was made on outbound heading
via VHF to the AOC or to Boundary Tare, as applicable. When unable to
transmit on VHF, voice reports were sent over HF circuit J-410,
of 090° and at 10,000' altitude,
Climb to H-hour altitude of 25,000!
begun immediately after turning inbound so as to arrive over ground zero
G2 et that altitude.
ad.
The Aerial Weather Forecaster completed his last report (0610)
e.
From GZ we flew an outbound track of 305° to our H-hour position
shortly before passing over GZ, Tho Rad Director and the Weather Forecaster exchanged positions over ground zero.
60 miles from GZ (tail aspect),
Time hacks were receivod on VHF, followed
by a volce count-down at H-15 seconds, At H-30 seconds all crew mombers
were instructed to place thoir high density goggics over their eyes. 5
=
a
f. "Romeo" was detonated et 0630, An immediate turn was made and
we observed the fireball as it ascended into the purple cloud above it.
We flew in e counter-clockwise direction around the cloud observing its
formation, The control ship (B-36), Cassidy 1, contacted us at 0640 end
inquired as to our status.
We gave our position and intention of
observing the cloud. Cassidy requested we begin sampling at H 42 to 3
hours, Exactly 7 minutes after detonation, a light smack against the
aircreft indicated the shock wave had reached us.
g. At H
80,000'!, We
skirting the
hour the Rad
vests.
h.
245 mimtes, the cloud top appeared to be at 70,000! flow a circular track northwest to northeast of ground zero,
cloud to avoid contamination from "fall-out". At H 11
Director requested that crew members don their leed-lined
"Romeo" cloud leaned in a northeast direction,
cloud appeared to be about 23,000' at H 42 hours.
The base of the
A slight spattcring
of white verga (looked like moist powdere’ coral) appeared on the air@~
craft's nose section.
i.
At H 12 hours at an indiceted altitude of 27,300' a 2" loss of
manifold pressure end a drop in RPM occured in # 4 engine and the engine
begen vibrating. Manifold pressure was reduced to 23" with 1800 RPM and
a descent wes made to 26,500', This action virtually eliminated the
vibration. The Rad Director notified Cassidy 1 of our condition and
requcsted euthorization to begin sampling. This was approved.
AFWLHO
(o1°
a