Title:NERVE AGENT TRANSPORT CONTAINER DROPPING TESTS [Allocated Title]
Film Number:DED 275
Other titles:PORTON DOWN TRIALS NON-NITRATE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Summary: Demonstration of the integrity of the containers used for transporting nerve agents These consist of a large outer metal drum, packed with a granular material cushioning an inner cylinder secured by wingnuts. Inside this cylinder is a sealed metal flask held in a metal cradle; this is where the nerve agent itself would be contained.
Description: (Reel 1) 0-100 A. The metal transport drum is seen hitting a concrete base after being dropped from "Boscombe Tower" (an open metal-framed tower at Boscombe Down). The container is dented along the base but has not been breached. Afterwards, the drum - marked "No 2 Toxic Chemical" - is opened; it is filled with a granular packing substance. This is scooped away to reveal the inner cylinder, which is removed. The wingnuts securing the lid are taken off, and the metal flask containing the "nerve agent" is pulled out, still cradled in its protective frame. (No agent was used in the tests, and the technicians shown are not wearing respirators). All the component parts of the container(s) are laid out and shown in detail. (Note that the second container is labelled "Return to Nancekuke when empty"). Reel ends with a series of confused shots of the ground - camera has not been switched off after recording the trial. (2 mins 40 secs)
(Reel 2) 100-200 B. Slow motion shot of the metal drum being dropped from the top of the tower and falling to the ground. Close-ups of the drum, with emphasis on the the damage caused by the fall (drum is marked 0264 710). The drum is opened and the inner container is removed, as seen on previous reel but viewed here from a different angle. Confused, blurred shots of buildings and tower at the end of the reel. (2 mins 40 secs)
200-250 C. Metal drum container on ground: men start to remove the contents. The inner container is removed and opened. (1 min 10 secs)
250-350 D. Close-ups of central flask showing the frame/cradle. Difficulty is encountered when trying to extract the flask from the cradle. Close-up of components showing damage from impact. Views of "Boscombe Tower", the open metal structure from which the drum was dropped. Garbled footage at end, with brief view of a smiling face. (2 mins 40 secs)
Alternative Title:PORTON DOWN TRIALS NON-NITRATE COLLECTION [Allocated Series Title]
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:DED 275
Sound:Silent
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:
Production Date:1968-09-28
Production Country: GB
Production Details: Porton Down (Production company)
