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1957 nuclear test: The men who dropped Britains H-bomb

1957 nuclear test: The men who dropped Britains H-bomb


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1957 nuclear test: The men who dropped Britains H-bomb

Britains first nuclear weapons test took place on May 15th 1957, when a nuclear device was successfully exploded high in the air over Christmas Island in the Central Pacific. It was dropped from a four engined RAF Valiant jet bomber, captained by Wing Commander K.G Hubbard, seen here entering his aircraft followed by members of his crew

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1957 Air Craft Air Plane Boarding Bomb Crew Device Dropped Engined Experiment Experimental Exploded Hubbard Hydrogen Ladder Members Nuclear Pacific Test Valiant Weapon Wing 15th Bomber


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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment before the historic British nuclear test, codenamed "Grapple X," took place on May 15, 1957. The image shows Wing Commander K.G. Hubbard, a brave RAF officer, and his crew boarding their four-engined RAF Valiant jet bomber in preparation for the groundbreaking mission. The Valiant, a versatile and innovative aircraft, was chosen to deliver the nuclear device high into the atmosphere above Christmas Island in the Central Pacific. The successful detonation of the hydrogen bomb marked a significant milestone in Britain's nuclear weapons program and the global nuclear arms race. The test, which took place more than a decade after the United States and the Soviet Union had conducted their first nuclear tests, demonstrated Britain's ability to join the exclusive club of nuclear powers. Hubbard and his crew, dressed in their military uniforms, are seen climbing the ladder to the aircraft, their faces a mix of determination and apprehension. The Valiant, with its distinctive shape and powerful engines, stands ready for takeoff, its wings casting long shadows on the ground. The successful experiment marked the beginning of a new era in British military and scientific history. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role played by these men and their aircraft in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the late 20th century.

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