 |
The 9 kt Mk-7 WAHOO device fires from 500 feet/152.4 m below, in water 3200 ft/975 m deep. The dark remnants (seen at the top) of the LCU and buoy at surface zero rose at 2000 ft/sec (610 m/sec)
|
|
|
|
A base surge wave from a nuclear detonation during 1958's Operation HARDTACK I, overcoming suspected USS Fulham, a destroyer closest to the west of the Enewetak shot locations of both UMBRELLA and WAHOO.
Both WAHOO and UMBRELLA positioned an LCU (Landing Craft Utility) and a buoy above the shot devices.
Note the deep water pressure vessel for each device.
Operation HARDTACK 1958
|
 |
A ship's radar tower.
|
 |
Operation HARDTACK's 3.8 megaton TEAK shot's frightening heat pulse forced military observers to rush for cover, from 252000 ft/80 km above. A navigational programming error sent the Redstone missile straight up over Johnston Island, instead of up and away for detonation over sea -- as the 3.8 MT ORANGE test did at 141, 000 ft/43 km. The observers were taken by surprise during TEAK.
Notice the bluish-white flash, common to surface, low and middle atmosphere nuclear detonations.
|
Safe under the cover of the bunker's entryway.
The warhead fired at 10:50 PM local time, August 1, 1958.
 |
The commander explained radiation effects on crew members. This was a training film for ship commanders facing nuclear war at sea.
Notice the aspect ratio was corrected from VHS to digital formats.
 Crew readied a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom for takeoff from above the fantail. 3 Grumman A6Es were parked at the upper right. A Lockheed S3-A Viking was near the centerline.
A Standard II missile launcher was loaded and ready.
|
|
