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them from the aircraft whose instrumentation measufed the effects’of the
nuclear detonation on the aircraft structure and those that measured the
fissions present in the detonation,
These aircraft carried instruments
for a wide variety of scientific projects for the purpose of gathering
data wich will enable researchers to better understand some of the phen-~
omena associated with certain types of nuclear detonations.
All of these
aircraft were carrying instrumentation for projects interested in the very
high and ultra high altitude shots carried out under the aegis of the
Departnent of Defense,
Originally, these aircraft were limited to the B-36
aircraft of the VHA/UHA Element, the
P2V sponsored by the NASWF and the
C-~97 aircraft-of the Ionospheric Element,
Much later during the operation,
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other aircraft supporting other projects became active in the test series
and participated in the last two (2) Department of Defense sponsored tests.
The mission of the P2V was to obtain basic data concerning infra-red
radiaticn for high altitude shots and sea level shots for correlation purposes.
The P2V aircraft arrived in the Eniwetok Proving Ground on 31 March
1958.
the Zi.
It flew a total of sixty hours in April and May before returning to
It participated in three (3) practice missions and two (2) re-
hearsals forthe YUCCA Event and in that event.
It also flew eight (8)
practice missions for the BUTTER:UT and K@A Events and in those events.
The P2V then returned to the ZI in May and returned to Barber's Point MAS
in July for participation in the T=iAK and ORAGE Events held at Johnston
Island.
On 17 July it participated in a practice for the TEAK Event and
in rehearsals for THAK on 22 and 26 July and made an emergency landing at
Johnston Island, blowing tires on both main landing gears on landing.
Fast maintenance enabled the aircraft to overcome its difficulties in time
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