NUCLEAR TESTING 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
April 2018 FLYPAST 55XL161 Katina 2, more critical.
Initially level at 39,000ft, after a
climb to 46,000ft the crew saw a
greenish-yellow cloud. They located
debris at 44,000ft with the aircraft
passing through where the trailing
edge of the radioactive cloud was
predicted to be.
The crew of XL161 took
photographs and samples using a
combination of visual acquisition of
the cloud, confirmed by radioactive
meter readings. Thirty minutes of
collecting proved sufficient to reach
the ‘come home’ figure.
As well as Flt Lt Barnard, the
crew on Katina 2 comprised Fg Off
Julian Collis (co-pilot), Flt Lt Tim
Holland-Smith (nav plotter), Flt Lt
Pete Gallagher (nav radar) and Flt Lt
Mike Beer (AEO). The 6hr 10mins
sortie had taken off at 0300.SHARING THE SPOILS
On landing, the Victor was
marshalled into a secure area set
aside at Lima especially for ‘hot’
aircraft. The AWRE specialists tookcontrol of XL161 and removed its
filter baskets.
After checking, it was agreed the
samples were sufficient and the 543
Squadron detachment was stood
down. After packing, the material
was prepared for dispatch to the
Ambassador’s residence and safe
shipment to the UK via an AWRE
courier. ‘Product’ from Katina 2 was
shared with the USA.
The evidence collected, together
with the measured wind velocities
and other meteorological
information, indicated the cloud
would cross the coast of South
America at midnight on June 8.
Some radioactivity was detected on
aircrew clothing, in particular on the
arms and gloves and aircrew wereAbove
Aircrew of 543
Squadron in front of
XM718, left to right:
Flt Lts Mike Beer,
Tom Barnard, Tim
Holland-Smith and
Dave Hayward.
VIA MIKE BEERLeft
Dive brakes
open and minus
underwing tanks,
Victor XM715 served
with 543 Squadron
as a B(SR).2. This
aircraft is kept in
taxiable condition
at Bruntingthorpe,
Leics. TERRY PANOPALIS
COLLECTIONLeft
Framed by a Vulcan,
Victor B(SR).2 XL161
of 543 Squadron in
September 1966.
Note that sampler
modifi cations have
yet to be made to
the wing tanks. TERRY
PANOPALIS COLLECTIONcontrol of XL161 and removed its AboveAbove“Some radioactivity was detected on aircrew clothing, in particular
on the arms and gloves, and aircrew were told not to wipe the
aircraft’s skin”