BIG T.N.T. BLAST
Jungle War Experiment (NJS. Prw» Awn.— CoppripM*
CANBERRA, July 18. A big fireball, then ■ pinky-grey mushroom cloud rose over the remote Iron Range in Northern Queensland today as tens of tons of T.N.T. exploded. Shock waves rippled through the jungle and trees near the blast were uprooted and smashed. The blast was the climax of “operation blowdown." which was designed to test the effect of a large explosion. similar to a nuclear explosion, in tropical jungle. It was the biggest explosion in continental Australia.
The explosive was placed on top of a 140-foot tower and a countdown began five hours before detonation. TTie blast occurred on schedule in the morning and military and scientific observers were thrilled to see the fireball and mushroom cloud—looking almost like a nuclear explosion. Observers spent the rest of the day checking instruments and examining the area to measure the effects of the blast.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CII, Issue 30188, 20 July 1963, Page 19
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152BIG T.N.T. BLAST Press, Volume CII, Issue 30188, 20 July 1963, Page 19
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