Field Trip- March 2008

Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri

DENVER AREA

"Wings over the Rockies" Air Museum in Denver at Lowry AFB

http://www.wingsmuseum.org/

One complete room contained instrumentation and radio displays.

Electrometers were used in early radiation research

Was able to inspect disassembled wing control surfaces and take photos of

the counterweights, which are DU in some large aircraft. Inspected many ejection seats for radium, negative results.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.

KC-97 TANKER CONVERTED INTO RESTAURANT CALLED "SOLO"

Western Mining Museum

http://www.wmmi.org/html/index.htm

Local listmember had a hands-on radiation demo with Geiger's and scopes, etc. Well received by the attendees.

ONE-WOMAN LIVE PLAY ON THE LIFE OF MADAM CURIE- Fascinating.

Marie Curie used a Quartz Electrometer Ion Chamber

Uranium Mining exhibit, large display of Geiger Counters and radiation facts.

Air Force Academy

A-10'S SHOOT THE 30mm DU BULLETS.

COMBAT AIR MUSEUM

Forbes Field, Topeka KS

http://www.combatairmuseum.org/

JAPANESE WW2 METERS ALWAYS MUCH MORE RADIOACTIVE THAN US OR BRITISH VERSIONS

AMERICAN BOMBSIGHT LENS NOT DEFECTIVE, BUT DEGRADED DUE TO THORIUM IN THE GLASS.RADIATION FOGGED THE LENS OVER TIME

UNUSUALLY ACTIVE SPERRY GUNSIGHT

It would overload the PM1703M through the glass @ 7 mR/H

CURATOR REMOVING GUNSIGHT FOR CLOSER RADIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

AC-121 AIRBORNE RADAR AND CONTROL BASED ON CONSTELLATION AIRCRAFT

RADOME

GIANT MAGNETRON, NOTICE MY POCKETKNIFE STICKING STRAIGHT OUT OFF MAGNET!

COCKPIT, MANY RADIUM DIALS

COCKPIT IS ACTUALLY BEHIND PLASTIC WINDOW FOR SAFETY

MECHANIC PULLS LINK TRAINER PANEL FOR INSPECTION

AFTER INSPECTING HUNDREDS OF JET ENGINES, ONE FINALLY SHOWS UP WITH THORIUM ALLOY!

THIS IS FROM A HUEY HELICOPTER, MOST OF THE CASTINGS ARE RADIOACTIVE.

THE ASSUMPTION IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE COMPACT SIZE, THORIUM ALLOYED

MAGNESIUM IS USED FOR THE HIGH HEAT COMPONENTS.

INSPECTING MISC. PARTS

NO ENTRY HERE! SENTRY POPPED UP BARRICADES

RADIOTRACER PATIENT SETS OFF ALARM ON PM1703M IN MY POCKET FROM 60 FEET AWAY!

Played around for about 20 miles making tests and measurements. The PM1703M equaled or bested my 1"X1" NaI(Tl)

vehicle alarm