Cold War, Hot Jets BBC2 2100 Friday

[Union Jack]

HTP was nasty stuff. It would combust in contact with clothing, which made it bad news.

To inject a near contemporary reference to the use of HTP by the dark blue, this reminds me precisely why the experimental HTP submarine HMS EXPLORER was commonly known as HMS EXPLODER, vide the following abbreviated quote from the MODUK website:

"
High Test Peroxide proved difficult to the point of being dangerous, and there was more than one contemporary report of explosions onboard, and at least one instance when the entire crew was forced to stand on the casing to avoid the noxious fumes, which had suddenly filled the boat. The high-test peroxide was a very volatile substance and was carried in special bags outside the pressure hull. Occasionally there would be a 'whoomph' as one of them exploded. Looking into the engine room, which was unmanned when under way, one could see flames dancing along the top of the combustion chamber. The crew did not look upon her as being dangerous.and took the bangs and fires as a matter of course. Fire drill became a very practised affair'."

I knew the second CO in later life, and recall how he said that the EXPLODER's crew were always easily recognisable by their charred footwear and ovies!

Jack