How to nuke your Thunderbolt and B-17

JDK · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 4:53 am

Rather entertaining video of nuclear tests on aircraft in 1947, including loads of F-47s, B-17s and various others.

Article here, but it's the film (in the video gallery on the page) I found interesting.

http://www.airspacemag.com/military-avi ... _Link.html

Quote:

Operation Tumbler-Snapper

In the spring of 1952, the U.S. Defense Nuclear Agency conducted a series of atomic bomb drops and tower shots at the Nevada Proving Ground, code-named “Operation Tumbler Snapper.” One of Tumbler-Snapper’s objectives was to see how soldiers and military equipment—including one of only two Lockheed XF-90 fighters ever built—reacted to the detonation. Jet aircraft (including the XF-90 and some F-47s) were seen to be less damaged by the atomic blast than were the bombers (a B-45, a B-29, and some B-17s). This excerpt from a contemporary U.S. Air Force documentary about the Tumbler-Snapper program focuses on the airplane testing.

(Source: Internet Archive/ US Dept. of Energy)

Garth · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 8:16 am

JDK wrote:

Jet aircraft (including the XF-90 and some F-47s) were seen to be less damaged by the atomic blast than were the bombers (a B-45, a B-29, and some B-17s).

I assume that the writer of the article misspoke and meant "fighter" instead of "jet", since the F-47 was a prop and the B-45 was a jet.

This is something that was also apparent with the Operation Bolo "Lost Squadron" that yielded Glacier Girl. The recovery expedition was originally going after the B-17s, but finding them absolutely trashed from their years under the ice, being moved around and compressed, figured that the more stout and rugged fighters would be in better condition.

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 8:58 am

After watching the video I pulled out my copy of Scott Thompson's Final Cut and found another interesting bit of information. The Collings Foundation Fortress was one of the airplanes in the Tumbler/Snapper test series. Both 44-83575 and parts of 44-83722 were saved later because they were irradiated way back then.

I wonder if there is a full listing of test airframe serial numbers somewhere.........

Thanks, James!
Scott

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 9:12 am

"909" had another name painted on it during these tests, and during it's restoration in Pittsburgh that name was still visible after the paint was stripped off. I just can't remember the name.

aerovin · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 9:48 am

"909" was Lady Yucca added, I believe, by the Aircraft Specialties crew (led by John King) that worked on the bomber at Yucca Lake in 1965, after it was pulled out the scrap heap that remained after the testing.

The whole pile of remaining scrap was sold in 1965, and it included some large portions of P-47s.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 10:18 am

That would be it. THat name was still there when it was in Pittsburgh

Ztex · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 9:10 pm

Isn't the B-17 at Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX a nuke survivor?

Or was it used as a flying instrument platform drone?

A2C · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 9:25 pm

I wonder if anything is left on the site?

A2C · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2009 9:27 pm

I protest the title, I think JDK should've put "historical" in the title. I am deeply offended, because I thought N. Korea nuked them.. :lol:

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How to nuke your Thunderbolt and B-17

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