exact point in space at H-hour.
This position was rade good by the co-
ordinated effort of the crew members responsible for flying and navigating the aircraft,
An orbital flight pattern was flown by the crew several
times just prior to H-hour, so timing adjustments could be made to take
inte account the existing winds over shot point.
Thus the crew refined
its timing to such an extent that they arrived at their assigned posi-
tion with an error not in excess of plus or minus three seconds.
On all
CASTLE shots the B-36 and B-47 effects aircraft were positioned between
35,000 and 50,000 feet horizontal range and between 30,000 and 45,000
feet altitude.
Their proximity to the detonation point necessitated pro~
tection against the heat and intense light.
To increase reflectivity and :
prevent scorching of the metal, the B34 was painted white on the under
side.
For crew protection, asbestos curtains were placed over all the
windows and ports to intercept the thermal radiation.
The aircraft re-
ceived superficial damage from the blast on each of the shots, but not.
enough to endanger its flying characteristics or capabilities.)
DELETED
Theeffects 2985 feet
trom
its
planned location, possibly explaining why it received no
superficial damage from the BRAVO yield.
The data gained from these two aircraft was to be used to design
better aircraft and to develop techniques for safe delivery of nuclear
weapons with aircraft now current.
- ee ee
;
6b