h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Deke,

This has been a joy to sub-edit - the edited version is here: A49097307. Let me know if this looks OK.

Three things I'd like to mention:

I'm not convinced by the word 'panjandrum', but I'm struggling to suggest something better. 'Juggernaut' and 'behemoth' spring to mind, but I think you're after something meaning 'unstoppable'. What do you think?

What were the circumstances when the Valiant dropped a live nuclear weapon? It might be worth a footnote.

I think it needs another header to cover the final events. Maybe before the paragraph "The V-Bomber force was envisaged to be Britain's strategic nuclear deterrent..." Can you think of an appropriate header?

Icy

Hi Icy. Its good to have you in on this one. Thanks for your efforts and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It all looks good to me.

Panjandrum
I can see your point regarding my use of the word. I was thinking along the lines of the rotating D Day weapon. Perhaps. as you say, with its other meaning it doesn‘t quite fit, I’d be happy for you to go with ‘careering behemoth’ in its place though. For me ‘Juggernaut’ conjures up an artic truck more than an aeroplane. The only other word that might be suitable is ‘Leviathan’. I can’t think of anything better though.


The only V-Bomber ever to drop an atomic weapon was the Valiant.

The first British air dropped atomic weapon codenamed ‘Kite’, was dropped by a Valiant over the Australian Maralinga site on 11 October 1956.

Operation Grapple was the air testing of the British hydrogen bomb. In all I think about nine were dropped by Valiants. The first was XD818 of 49 Squadron which dropped the first British H-bomb on 15 May 1957 over Malden Island. in the Pacific That aircraft is preserved currently at the RAF Cosford Air Museum.

Possible End section titles, off the top of my head:
Passing on the Torch
Return to Convention..
Blue Steel to Polaris
From Strike Force to Missiles

Thanks again
Deke

I've left Panjandrum, but capitalised it. I wasn't aware that this was the name of that weapon, and I think the uncontrollable danger it evokes fits better than behemoth.

Wasn't there a Panjandrum on an episode of Dads Army?

I've added a footnote about the live nuclear weapon drops, and added the header "Passing on the Torch".

I'm returning it now. If you spot anything in the meantime, then post to Editorial Feedback and they'll make any necessary changes.

See you on the front page!

Icy

Thanks Icy. That all looks fine to me.

I'm glad Panjandrum has stayed. I quite like that word. I do vaguely recall something like that in a Dad's Army episode, but not exactly what.

Deke

This must be it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_and_Round_went_the_Great_Big_Wheel