Summary: Documentary film about Operation Hurricane, the first of Britain's atomic weapons tests, which was conducted off the Montebello Islands, Australia in October 1952.
Description: Reel 1: Preparations in England under the direction of Sir William Penney at various research establishments (shots of computer equipment etc, but not of any part of the bomb itself) and at factories making precision monitoring instruments and cameras. In June 1952, the Naval escort carrier Campania is ready at Chatham for the voyage to Australia, along with the landing ship HMS Tracker. Training in radiation monitoring occupies the crews during the voyage. Initial clearing and construction work at the target site begins.
Reel 2: In August, the squadron of ships, including the target vessel, HMS Plym, arrives at Monte Bello. Equipment is set up ashore including cameras, rocket projectors for airborne monitoring, and a selection of plants, foodstuffs and mannequins in military uniform to determine the effect of radiation on them. Rehearsals with protective clothing take place for personnel due to enter the contaminated area. By October all is ready, the exclusion zone is checked and the wait for the right weather conditions begins.
Reel 3: The bomb's firing circuit on board HMS Plym is armed, and the countdown begins amid mounting tension. After the detonation, personnel rush out to operate cameras, and the crews on board the monitoring vessels turn round to watch the distant black cloud. Dragonfly helicopters take off to sample seawater in its vicinity, and the scientific team gather the data from the various remote monitoring stations. The recovery team enter the blast area to check damage and recover items. (Reel 4) More film of the explosion (which produces a large untidy black cloud rather than the familiar mushroom) "marks the achievement of British science and industry in the development of atomic power". The film closes with a mild note of caution about the future atomic age.
Production Details: Central Office of Information (Production sponsor)
Stark, Ronald (Production individual)
Legg, Stuart (Production individual)
Addison, John (Production individual)
Mathieson, Muir (Production individual)
Wilmot, Chester1911-06-211954-01-10 (Production individual)
Catford, Edwin (Production individual)
Freeman, Bill (Production individual)
Jackson, Jocelyn (Production individual)
Fullilove, Eric (Production individual)
Anvil Film and Recording Group (Production individual)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Penney, William George (person)
Keywords: weapons, British - bomb [nuclear]: [R and D] (object name)
aircraft, British - helicopter: Westland Dragonfly (object name)
ships, British naval - supply: HMS Campania (object name)
ships, British naval - amphibious: HMS Tracker (object name)
ships, British naval - frigate: HMS Plym (object name)
British atomic bomb tests & 1952 (event)
Australia & Monte Bello Islands, WA (geography)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 4
Footage: 2976 ft; Running time: 33 mins
