" OPERATION BLOWDOWN " SIMULATED NUCLEAR BLAST TEST ON RAIN FOREST AUSTRALIAN CIVIL DEFENSE 74922

Описание: This film from 1963, "Operation Blowdown", explored the impact of a (simulated) nuclear explosion on a tropical rainforest. It begins with an introduction to the dense rainforest, increasingly affected by humans. Australian defense, lacking data on nuclear effects, planned a joint Army and Department of Supply experiment. Conferences and tests followed, with equipment designed in Melbourne. The remote Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula, with its WWII airstrip, was selected. The Army cleared the site, built a canvas city, and installed scientific instruments. TNT arrived, safety officers prepared the charge, and dummy figures were positioned. Final checks, evacuations, and high-speed cameras preceded the blast, captured in slow motion. Aerial inspections followed, revealing a mushroom cloud. Deemed a success, the operation provided critical data on nuclear effects in jungles, involving international observers and emphasizing meticulous planning.

00:00: Introduction
0:39: Tropical rainforest, rich in life, resisting civilization.
1:00: Human influence extends into the rainforest.
1:16: Question: impact of nuclear explosion on rainforest.
1:23: Lack of data prompts Australian defense planning.
1:34: Joint Army and Department of Supply experiment.
1:41: Operation Blowdown begins.
1:49: Conferences and tests; alternative to nuclear blast.
2:03: Special equipment designed in Melbourne.
2:15: Variety of scientific instruments used.
2:24: Months of preparation.
2:28: Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula selected.
2:33: Army clears the site.
2:44: Surveyors plan test site and personnel community.
3:01: Canvas city takes shape.
3:19: WWII airstrip used by US Air Force.
3:26: Scientific party and engineers install instruments.
3:49: Major effort to move personnel and materials.
4:20: Observation bunkers constructed.
4:26: Countdown to D-Day begins.
4:47: Detailed planning evident.
5:08: Equipment linked from bunkers to blast site.
6:23: TNT cargo arrives for the charge.
6:33: TNT stacked at tower base.
7:05: Safety officer primes the charge.
7:27: Experiment fully prepared.
7:50: International observers arrive.
8:30: Vegetation characteristics recorded.
9:13: Final preparations intensify; D-Day minus one.
9:49: Weather conditions assessed.
10:07: High-speed cameras set up for blast.
10:47: Dummy figures represent troops and guns.
11:28: Troops evacuated before dawn.
11:52: Aerial reconnaissance clears non-participants.
12:17: Loudspeakers announce progress.
12:38: Five minutes to blast.
12:53: Countdown permission granted.
13:02: Automatic sequencer starts at 45 seconds.
13:14: Blast occurs.
13:42: Slow-motion footage of blast force.
14:16: Aerial inspection of devastated area.
15:02: Mushroom cloud forms; area deemed safe.
15:19: Assessment teams begin work.
15:51: Aftermath reveals operation’s apt name.
16:27: Blowdown a success; accurate records obtained.
18:07: Knowledge gained to predict nuclear effects and bolster defenses.
18:12: End.

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