Flying Through a Nuclear Cloud: Twenty Years on the Frontline During the Cold War

Flying Though a Nuclear Cloud is the unusual story of a frontline navigator who flew on Canberra, Shackleton and F4 Phantom squadrons between 1954 and 1974. It also reveals his involvement with nuclear weapon testing in 1956 and 1958. It was during his time on Canberras that, in 1955, volunteers were called for 'An Interesting Overseas Tour'. Robin Adams put his hand up. The task was to collect samples resulting from nuclear explosions. This, however, was only revealed to the volunteers after they had arrived in Australia. On 19 June 1956 that Robin, then the navigator of Canberra WH976, took off from the RAAF Perth. Along with his pilot, Robin was about to be involved in the second and final nuclear test under Operation Mosaic – both explosions taking place at the Montebello Islands. In 1957 Robin joined Coastal Command flying the Avro Shackleton. After this interlude, a year later he was back nuclear testing. This time it was at Christmas Island in the Pacific, with the awesome megaton H bombs of Operation Grapple Z. His task was to collect weather data and clear shipping from the potential danger areas. From 1963-1966 Robin was on 31 Squadron which, equipped with Canberra PR.7s, was stationed in Germany and tasked with day and night low-level photo reconnaissance. It was during this time that he was involved in a serious aircraft accident following a single engine approach at night. By 1969 the front-line days were over for the Canberra, and Robin was posted onto the F4 Phantom as a Flight Commander on 14 Squadron. The squadron's primary role was all-weather tactical nuclear weapon delivery to targets in East Germany, secondary roles being ground attack and air defence. Crews stood Quick Reaction Alert for twenty-four hour stretches, twice a month, in a hut, with a nuclear weapon loaded on the aircraft parked outside. Robin's nuclear journey had gone full circle. AUTHOR: Robin Adams was born in Wendover, Bucks. In 1955, Robin, by then an RAF navigator who had served on front line Canberra, Shackleton and F4 Phantom squadrons during the Cold War, volunteered for 'An Interesting Overseas Tour'. That mission was to collect samples from nuclear explosions by flying through the nuclear cloud shortly after detonation. This took place on 19 June 1956. His next posting was with Coastal Command flying Shackleton aircraft involved in the testing of thermonuclear hydrogen bombs on Christmas Island. After this, he joined 31 Squadron, a successful reconnaissance squadron, winning several NATO competitions. Robin was then redeployed as a reconnaissance instructor before being posted to fly F4 Phantoms on 14 Squadron as a Flight Commander with the rank of Squadron Leader. The squadron's primary task was nuclear weapon delivery with secondary roles of ground attack and air defence. Robin now lives near Reading. 16 b/w illustrations

About the Author :
ROBIN ADAMS was born in Wendover, Bucks. In 1955, Robin, by then an RAF navigator who had served on front line Canberra, Shackleton and F4 Phantom squadrons during the Cold War, volunteered for ‘An Interesting Overseas Tour’. That mission was to collect samples from nuclear explosions by flying through the nuclear cloud shortly after detonation. This took place on 19 June 1956. His next posting was with Coastal Command flying Shackleton aircraft involved in the testing of thermonuclear hydrogen bombs on Christmas Island. After this, he joined 31 Squadron, a successful reconnaissance squadron, winning several NATO competitions. Robin was then redeployed as a reconnaissance instructor before being posted to fly F4 Phantoms on 14 Squadron as a Flight Commander with the rank of Squadron Leader. The squadron's primary task was nuclear weapon delivery with secondary roles of ground attack and air defence. Robin now lives near Reading.