1970 ... 'Colossus: The Forbin Project'

... originally made in 1968 ( I knew it seemed older than '70 !)  'Colossus: The Forbin Project' is a science fiction -political thriller about a giant computer that is given complete control of US nuclear forces. Great idea- what could go wrong?

( Doesn't it seem like a lot of these thrillers are made in a fictional world where no one has ever read, or even heard of, basic cliched science fiction plots?)

For me the best scenes are in the beginning when the giant machine (back in the day when BIG computers meant smart computers) is turned on and sealed away in a Cheyenne Mountain type complex. Unmanned, unable to be shut-down, shielded by glowing gamma radiation. I repeat- what could possibly go wrong?

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

... Canada's Big Wheel!

... posted by Scott Lowther at 'the unwanted blog'. Seems to be a Really Big snow-tractor that would crawl across the Arctic waste and poop out a couple of ICBM's when the big-one got started. Novel solution to idea of mobile missiles are harder to target; except it seems like it would be visible to satellites and couldn't travel very far in the ninety minutes between reconnaissance passes. 

Vroom, vroom! "Can't you get this thing above 10mph!"

... big boomer!

... it can be said the 'The Electric Boat Co.' (General Dynamics) does not have any competition to advertise against. But hey! - my concept here is to produce 'good-will'. Which was the motivation behind much of the Cold War advertising we have seen.

 

... B-36 weapons test.

... I know that B-36's dropped at least one nuclear weapon during testing in the 1950's; but I have not been able to determine when and where.

... my photo-illustration. Accomplishing the goal of portraying (in hi-res.) historic and interesting scenes of which there is little or inadequate records of. In other words - gee-whiz- oooo ! - events. 

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

... SR-71 'Blackbird' cutaway!

"... you are going to be in so much trouble if you don't get Dad's airplane put back together before he finds out!"

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

... ball bearings beat Commies!

1958 .... facts are falling out!

... pamphlet cover. The Cold War inspired some classic Mid-Century Modern design moments!

 

... hardened silo!

... ooo -what's not to like?! A cutaway of a Titan silo done by master aerospace illustrator Robert McCall !


all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

1957 (?) ... put her down!

... when you are trying to build an intercontinental bomber that is powered by a nuclear reactor there is a small problem; a lot of your airplane becomes very radioactive! This is a big problem for the many mechanics and ground crew needed for servicing such a complicated beast. Solution- build huge lead shielded tanks with arms and foot thick leaded glass for the operator to see through.  Then in order to prove your 'waldos' are up to delicate tasks drive around picking up the nearest pretty secretary that you can find! (note; AFSWC is an acronym for Air Force Special Weapons Center ie: nukes!

... you will be instructed!

... I never knew it was an acronym for: (Control of Electromagnetic Radiation)

LINK 

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

 

1955 ... atom proof house!

 ... errr - what about those great big windows?

1955 ... the Lockheed dove!

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

1946 ... atomic medicine to the rescue!

... that doctor is not getting anywhere near me!

 

... duck and cover for adults!

... wow- that is one forlorn and depressing illustration!

 

1960 ... be a bomb-builder!

LINK

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

.... zoomer!

LINK

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

... sleeping B-52!

"...shhh - be wewy, wewy quiet!"

... photo credit: Rebecca Imwall USAF

... getting organized!

1961 ... B-53 for the B-58!

... the B-53 thermo-nuclear weapon; a 10 megaton 'crowd-pleaser' shown next to the weapons pod of a B-58 'Hustler' supersonic bomber. The bomb would be carried inside and dropped as part of the weapons pod. Hence the lack of fins etc.

photo credit: not the fake nate 

 

1953 ... Military Industrial Complex in session!

all images- Right click- open in New Window or Tab = super colossal size!

... symptoms!

 ... they forgot to mention the sudden need to consume human brains; or sudden transmutation into gigantic insects!