Project Dugout

From many different camera angles, including aerial shots, this silent, color film captures the awe inspiring explosions from the Nevada weapons test called Project Dugout. In this picturesque example of military history, through the use of diagrams and some animation, the preparation of the blast site is shown, including the underground chambers that were filled with five 20-ton chemical row-charge explosives. The tests were conducted in order to assess the effect of the explosives on hard, dry rock. The footage of the explosions is intense and includes real-time and slow motion film of the jaw dropping blasts. The crater effect caused by the explosives is captured in great detail – sometimes with people in the shot in order to show the huge scale of the destruction. The explosive tests for rowing produce huge explosions that caused giant, gaping craters, are captured in startling detail in this great footage.