52 FLYPAST April 2018
Below
Hurricanes of 185
Squadron lined up at
Hal Far.Below
Hurricanes of 185
Squadron lined up at
Hal Far.C
ollecting air samples after a
nuclear test was an important
task – not just for the nation
causing the explosion but also
for allies or rivals trying to gain
intelligence. During the 1950s and
through to the 1970s, atmospheric
sampling by specially configured
aircraft to monitor levels of
radiation was standard procedure.
Such sorties required flying
through the ‘debris’ or fallout from
the detonation. This was a hazardoustask for the crew, not least because of
potential exposure to radiation and
its possible effects in later years.
For the British trials held in the
Pacific in the mid-1950s, English
Electric Canberra PR.7s were fitted
with special filters to collect post-
explosion radioactive samples.
The RAF also took specimens
from the nuclear tests of other
nations. In the late 1960s, Canberra
B.6s of 45 Squadron deployed to
Kai Tak, Hong Kong, to monitorChinese bombs. Within the RAF
such sampling work was known
colloquially as ‘sniffing’.PERUVIAN DETACHMENT
Between May and September 1971
Operation ‘Attune’ covered upper
atmospheric sampling of debris
produced by French tests in the
Pacific. The French gave these trials
the codenames Dioné (June 5),
Encelade (June 12) and Japet (July
4) and the RAF called them Katina,1918 2018Above
Victor B(SR).2 XL161
in September 1971
showing a fi lter basket
fi tted to the nose of the
underwing tanks. TERRY
PANOPALIS COLLECTIONBelow
An undated view of
XL193 at Prestwick,
Scotland, complete with
sampler pod equipment
in place. KEY COLLECTIONTONY BUTTLER SHEDS LIGHT ON A LITTLE-KNOWN ASPECT OF THE VICTOR’S
SERVICE LIFE - SAMPLING FALLOUT FROM NUCLEAR TESTS
SNIFFERSSNIFFERS