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Orange Herald
/ Main Archive / UK /
Page: 1/2
Date: 19:41 UTC 31/05/1957 |
Type: Air drop @2300m |
Yield: 720kt
The Grapple tests served to demonstrate Britains ability to produce an h-bomb. The government had a contingency plan that in the event that the tests were not fully successful, a massive a-bomb would be used and passed off as an h-bomb. This deception was concealed from the world, and even the drop crew. Orange Herald was this insurance policy, and after the disappointing Short Granite, its detonation was "heralded" as proof of Britains ability to produce an h-bomb. The crew were required to deliver the bomb with extreme accuracy while flying with instruments only, as the windows were shuttered. While executing their escape, the aircraft stalled and the acceleometer, a device essential to this manoeuvre failed and the aircraft was nearly incinerated.
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