RAF pilot 'Ordered' to fly into mushroom cloud
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RAF pilot 'Ordered' to fly into mushroom cloud
From Sky News, <a href="http://www.skynews.co.uk/skynews/article/0,,30000-1039417,00.html" target="_blank">Click here</a>
Pilot 'Made To Fly Into Nuclear Cloud'
Britain's nuclear bomb testing programme is being investigated after claims an RAF pilot was exposed to dangerous radiation levels.
Military chiefs ordered former Squadron Leader Eric Denson to fly his plane through the mushroom cloud left by a nuclear bomb to collect technical data, it has been claimed.
Mr Denson was healthy before the test in 1958 but then developed chronic illness which led to depression and his suicide in 1976, according to a report in The Guardian.
'Malicious'
The newspaper said the police inquiry will concern whether it was legal for military chiefs to order the crew to fly through the cloud.
Mr Denson's widow Shirley is thought to have sparked the investigation after accusing the Government of "knowingly and maliciously" exposing her husband to "deadly and legally prohibited levels of radiation which ultimately led to his death".
"We can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Service specialist crime group are carrying out preliminary assessment of information received in August this year," Scotland Yard said.
"We are not prepared to say who requested this assessment to be carried out or in connection with what."
Pilot 'Made To Fly Into Nuclear Cloud'
Britain's nuclear bomb testing programme is being investigated after claims an RAF pilot was exposed to dangerous radiation levels.
Military chiefs ordered former Squadron Leader Eric Denson to fly his plane through the mushroom cloud left by a nuclear bomb to collect technical data, it has been claimed.
Mr Denson was healthy before the test in 1958 but then developed chronic illness which led to depression and his suicide in 1976, according to a report in The Guardian.
'Malicious'
The newspaper said the police inquiry will concern whether it was legal for military chiefs to order the crew to fly through the cloud.
Mr Denson's widow Shirley is thought to have sparked the investigation after accusing the Government of "knowingly and maliciously" exposing her husband to "deadly and legally prohibited levels of radiation which ultimately led to his death".
"We can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Service specialist crime group are carrying out preliminary assessment of information received in August this year," Scotland Yard said.
"We are not prepared to say who requested this assessment to be carried out or in connection with what."
Gentleman Aviator
I seem to remember many years ago that a helicopter navigator I knew (long since dead) mentioned that helos of some sort had done mushroom cloud sampling some time in the past. He went rotary after leaving 60 Sqn (Javelins) in Singapore I think, so that may give a timescale. Anyone else know any more?
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Atmospheric sampling is nuffink new and was part of the mil/scientific support which existed in those days, because we were all on the same side!
Go forth and read the history of the Canberra and Victor PR/SR fleets - how else do the boffins learn about yield, distribution etc? In the late 50's don't forget, the state of knowledge was based upon analysis post Nagasaki etc. It wasn't until the 80's that further analysis suggested the error of calculation that had occurred back then, and led to instant re-assessment of ionising radiation safety levels. But it is IMHO wrong to try and blame the rules back then - the ignornace was mutual.
Go forth and read the history of the Canberra and Victor PR/SR fleets - how else do the boffins learn about yield, distribution etc? In the late 50's don't forget, the state of knowledge was based upon analysis post Nagasaki etc. It wasn't until the 80's that further analysis suggested the error of calculation that had occurred back then, and led to instant re-assessment of ionising radiation safety levels. But it is IMHO wrong to try and blame the rules back then - the ignornace was mutual.
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I was on XI for two hydrogen tests, 57/58, and it was routine to fly a Canberra through the cloud to collect samples.
Those not directly involved in the operation were paraded in the open, in anti-flash suits, and sat down with their backs to the bomb. The darned things always looked too close for comfort as I recall. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Huh, What did he say?
Those not directly involved in the operation were paraded in the open, in anti-flash suits, and sat down with their backs to the bomb. The darned things always looked too close for comfort as I recall. <img src="eek.gif" border="0">
Huh, What did he say?
