Research on : British Atomic Testing in Australia.

[Vonbaron]

I am doing further research into British Atomic Testing in Australia 1947-1963.
I would like to hear from anyone who was involved who could tell me the following:
1 What was the name given to the project to develop an atomic bomb in Australia? The early years 1948-1955 ?
Was it the Guided Missiles Project? Maralinga Project? Missiles Projects Group? Maralinga Experiment Programme[MEP]?

2 Does anyone recall the building number at Weapons Research Establishment at Salisbury, when it was originally called Long Range Weapons Establishment? Or recall the name given to the area which housed British scientist /team to develop an atomic deterrent? If someone could guild me to a photo of this building /area that would be great

3 Did Britain fire other nuclear devices in the Australian desert after 1957-1963?

4 Would anyone be able to tell me what the acronym A.G.R.E.E. stands for?

5 Anyone have info on Project 209 and Project J20 /Building 285 at WRE Salisbury

Sincere thanks Vonbaron

 

[Forest Green]

Operation Grapple

Operation Grapple - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/sources-radiation/more-radiation-sources/british-nuclear-weapons-testing

 

[Vonbaron]

Hi Forest Green thanks for the information.. CHEERS

Operation Grapple

Operation Grapple - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/sources-radiation/more-radiation-sources/british-nuclear-weapons-testing

View attachment 684568

 

[Zoo Tycoon]

Hi Vonbaron
57-63 saw the neutron initiator testing/core compression measurement (the kittens/Tim’s/Rats series ) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_nuclear_tests_at_Maralinga and single point safety testing (Vixen series and Super Vixen). https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Vixen

Super Vixen (B3 Lima 1-4) were a fully assembled weapon roasted over a burning tray of kerosene to simulate a crash scenario, with a commanded single point detention at finality. A fully prepared test range was established in case of a high yield event but the safety performed as expected with only a small explosion. But still burning Pu jetted several hundred feet into the air. I’m unaware what weapon type was used.

 

[Vonbaron]

Hi Zoo Tycoon
Thank you for the info
Have not heard of Super Vixen previously
Would this be post 1958?
Am i assuming correctly that Pu-Plutonium?
Where was the test range as i have a series of maps
Sincere thanks for sharing the info

 

[zjz]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g81Pxt8tVc

 

[Vonbaron]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g81Pxt8tVc

Thank you very much for the video and information. cheers VONBARON

 

[Rickshaw]

Montebello Islands nuclear test research finds radiation still present 70 years after blast

 

[Vonbaron]

Montebello Islands nuclear test research finds radiation still present 70 years after blast

Do you have any specific reference to this research which i could follow up on.Sincere thanks

 

[Rickshaw]

Montebello Islands nuclear test research finds radiation still present 70 years after blast

Do you have any specific reference to this research which i could follow up on.Sincere thanks

Only the media report. Contact the research authour for more information, is what I would suggest.

 

[Vonbaron]

Montebello Islands nuclear test research finds radiation still present 70 years after blast

Do you have any specific reference to this research which i could follow up on.Sincere thanks

Only the media report. Contact the research authour for more information, is what I would suggest.

Thank you very much for all your help,Cheers and thanks

 

[zjz]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx7lxK_q8wY

 

[datafuser]

A news story in 1958 about a plan to base nuclear missiles in Australia.

 

[Vonbaron]

A news story in 1958 about a plan to base nuclear missiles in Australia.

View attachment 713907

Dear Mr Green. Sincere apologies for not getting back to you sooner, in order to thank you. Cheers for the article-most helpful

 

[Vonbaron]

Dear Mr Green. Sincere apologies for not getting back to you sooner, in order to thank you. Cheers for the article-most helpful

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx7lxK_q8wY

Sincere thanks for the information

 

[datafuser]

In this 1959 ad, Blue Streak and Black Knight were described as 'British Commonwealth Ballistic Missiles'.

 

[Vonbaron]

Dear Mr Green. Sincere apologies for not getting back to you sooner, in order to thank you. Cheers for the article-most helpful

In this 1959 ad, Blue Streak and Black Knight were described as 'British Commonwealth Ballistic Missiles'.

View attachment 713955

Thank you for the information.Cheers

 

[CJGibson]

My piece on Blue Danube in December's Aeroplane might be useful, covers Tube Alloys and the tests in Australia.

Chris

 

[Vonbaron]

Greetings.
Sincere thanks for your help
Is there any chance you could email me the article?
Happy to provide an email address if that is acceptable?
Please advise
Again, many thanks for your help. Cheers Mike

 

[CJGibson]

I'd advise you buy a copy.

Chris

 

[Vonbaron]

I'd advise you buy a copy.

Chris

Thanks-will try and track it down. Would you be able to provide me with the issue and date , as i can not make it out from the cover.Thanks

 

[CJGibson]

Thanks-will try and track it down. Would you be able to provide me with the issue and date , as i can not make it out from the cover.Thanks

It's the current issue, Dec 23.

Chris

 

[Vonbaron]

It's the current issue, Dec 23.

Chris

Great. Will go and get it. Have a nice Christmas. Sincere thanks.

 

[Vonbaron]

It's the current issue, Dec 23.

Chris

Greetings Again Sir. I went and tried to get the December issue, but this will not be available in Adelaide South Australia until mid-January 2024. If you could sent me a copy of your article via email i would be extremely grateful.
My email is mikewohltmann@gmail.com. Sincere thanks

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Is there some great rush for you to obtain this information? You are coming across a bit entitled here.

 

[CJGibson]

Try here. Instant gratification.

Aeroplane - September 2024

Buy subscriptions and issues of Aeroplane - September 2024. Available on Desktop PC or Mac and iOS or Android mobile devices.

pocketmags.com

Back issues should be available.

The January issue also has my piece on the 'Spotswood' Report. There's one paragraph in the files that stopped me dead in my tracks and I had to hit TNA cafe for a sit-down, a brew and a Tunnocks Teacake. I await the hate mail. Explains quite a bit about what happened in the mid-1960s.

Chris

 

[Vonbaron]

Try here. Instant gratification.

https://pocketmags.com/aeroplane-m...and source your article and pay for it. zine

Back issues should be available.

The January issue also has my piece on the 'Spotswood' Report. There's one paragraph in the files that stopped me dead in my tracks and I had to hit TNA cafe for a sit-down, a brew and a Tunnocks Teacake. I await the hate mail. Explains quite a bit about what happened in the mid-1960s.

Chris

Hi Again
Thank you for the info- i will do this and follow up. Cheers

 

[Hood]

sit-down, a brew and a Tunnocks Teacake

Funnily enough I was just reading about exploding Tunnocks Teacakes in Vulcan cockpits yesterday.

Rule #1: eat them before practicing a sudden depressurisation.

 

[CJGibson]

Wow! Can you ping me that ref so I can tell all my Jockinese mates in the teashack.

Chris