Britain's
first atomic bomb, the 10000lb Blue Danube, was delivered to the Bomber
Command Armaments School at RAF Wittering in 1953. It was 24ft 2in long
and 5ft 2in in diameter. Blue Danube's fins extended after dropping
so that it could be carried inside the bomb bays of Valiants, Vulcans
and Victors.
This huge bomb was, in reality, obsolete before it was delivered which
resulted in a limited production run. Blue Danube was supplemented with
US Mk-5 atomic bombs in 1958, pending the introduction
of smaller tactical atomic bombs and strategic megaton weapons. The
Blue Danube casing was used for megaton warhead tests (Operation Grapple
and Operations Grapple - X, Y & Z). The casing was also used for
an interim megaton weapon called Violet Club.
The small photograph shows a dummy Blue Danube being loaded onto a Vulcan
B1. Stockpiled weapons were dark olive green in colour. The main photo
is probably of an inert round as it shows no colour bands.