Campaign 1974: France's Nuclear Testing in French Polynesia

France's Force de dissuasion / Deterrence Force

Here is some restoration work on a French military helicopter pilot's personal experiences during France's 1973 - 1974 superbomb tests around and on Fangataufa and Mururoa Atolls. He recorded them on his Super 8 mm film camera.

His blog, where you can see the original film: Mururoa-hao-1973-1974.over-blog.com

This corrected video will never be sold or distributed. It is only for private interest in history.

Random frame comparisons from restored scenes:

The second master petty officer standing before the CAPRICORNE test mushroom. To the right is the rear torque rotor of an Aérospatiale Alouette III.

An Ouragan class landing ship, called a TCD by the French Navy/Marine nationale (Transport de Chalands de Debarquement / Barge Landing Transport)

The view from an Aérospatiale Alouette III.

433kt VERSEAU, the last of France's atmospheric tests.

CAPRICORNE, shortly after the fireball phase. Remains of the blast condensation cloud are visible as an arc of clouds above the distant horizon.

CAPRICORNE  The reddish-brown color is nitrogen oxide, a smog created from burning of atmospheric nitrogen gas in the fireball.

CAPRICORNE, in advanced cloud growth

A Breguet Atlantique?

Naval boats for rescue and security operations. Notice the smaller skiffs near the sterns, and the light gun mount on each bow section.

The Ouragan-class helicopter and barge landing carrier in the distance.

The nuclear flash is bluish-white.