" SKY SENTINELS " ATOMIC BOMB TESTS IN NEVADA & CIVIL AIR PATROL HISTORIC FILM 71482

About

First released in 1956 and presented by Lear, Inc., this 17-minute color film shows generally how the civilian volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol serve their nation and their neighbors in times of disaster and for Civil Defense. Narrated by Hollywood great Tyrone Power and featuring director Henry King (who was also a Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol), it also shows the role played by the CAP during the 1955 atomic tests in Nevada. Yucca Flats is the scene of a disaster drill, with light planes being used to evacuate "wounded" civilians, while other aircraft chart the spread of nuclear fallout from the blast tests. The film ends with a search mission for a missing aircraft. It was directed by Robert L. Friend, who directed episodes of "Bonanza", "Rawhide" and "Tarzan" during a lengthy Hollywood career.

The film describes Hollywood as a glamorous place where ordinary people can become famous overnight. It highlights the presence of major motion picture studios and introduces Henry King, a well-known director who is also a colonel in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). The narrative shifts to a test at Yucca Flats, where an atomic explosion is observed by various officials and media. The CAP's role in disaster response is emphasized, showcasing their readiness to evacuate the injured, transport medical supplies, and conduct aerial photography for damage assessment. The text underscores the importance of CAP's training, equipment, and youth programs in preparing for emergencies and supporting national defense.

• 00:00 - 0:54: Comparison of the destructive power of a 30-kiloton bomb to modern thermonuclear weapons, highlighting the much greater damage radius of the latter.

• 1:26 - 1:40: Introduction to Operation Q, a program to test the effects of an atomic blast on everyday items.

• 1:56 - 2:14: The reporter's perspective on witnessing Operation Q and the preparations for the test.

• 2:17 - 2:33: Explanation of the test's scope and the importance of shelter in surviving an atomic blast.

• 3:03 - 3:13: Testing various types of shelters, including industrial and family shelters.

• 3:25 - 3:50: Testing power infrastructure, including power poles, lines, and substations, to understand their resilience and repair times.

• 4:08 - 4:22: Testing radio towers and broadcasting equipment to assess their durability.

• 4:31 - 4:51: Testing gas facilities to determine their safety and potential for causing fires.

• 5:07 - 5:24: Testing different types of houses and their furnishings to evaluate their resistance to atomic blasts.

• 6:31 - 6:50: Testing textiles and synthetic fabrics for their reaction to the blast.

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