Contest #518: Atomic Bomb Loading Pits, Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands
The atomic bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were huge compared to other ordinances of the time. For this reason, and for secrecy reasons, the bombs had to be loaded in the airplanes differently. The video below (starting at 2:26) shows the process. First, the bombs were loaded onto special hydraulic lifts in these pits, then the planes were towed over the pits with the bomb bay doors open. Once in place, the hydraulics would lift the bombs into the bay and attach them to the releases.
After the war, the pits were filled for safety. The airfield, which had become the largest airport in the world during the war, fell into disuse and was swallowed up by the jungle. In 2004, for the 60th anniversary of the battles of Saipan and Tinian, the bomb pits were reopened and covered by glass and steel covers with displays and plaques.
Those who found this one before the hint:
- Rob de Wolff
- Eloy Cano
- mehmet durmus
- Garfield
- Lighthouse
and after the hint:
- hhgygy
- Andy McConnell
- Jeather
- Phil Ower
- Steve Hoge
- Blaze
- David Kozina
Contest #518 Hint
The heavyset man and the diminutive boy started their final journeys here.
Contest #518
Contest #517: Chokoloskee Island, Florida, US
Chokoloskee Island, in southern Florida west of Miami, was inhabited by Indians for many years before the European explorers reached the area. The settlement we now see was started in 1874 with a post office established in 1891. It is connected to the mainland by Tamiami Trail.
It was just east of the track of the eye of Hurricane Irma last week, which hit Marco Island. Luckily for residents of the island, it is a bit higher than surrounding islands as it is about 6 metres above sea level. This is due to shell mounds built on the island over the past 2000 years. However, the causeway was still damaged with heavy damage reported in the community.
- Lighthouse
- Eloy Cano
- Andy McConnell
- David Kozina
- Garfield
- Horvath Gyorgy
- Phil Ower
- Mehmet DURMUS
- Glenmorren
- Blaze
- Streaming Doc
- Brandon smith
- Luis Filipe Miguel
- rob de wolff
After the hint: no-one.
Please let us know via comments here if our hints are good, so-so or truly unhelpful.
Contest #517 Hint
Crabs, retirees and Irma – all key to this location.
Contest #517
Contest #516: the iron ore port south of Nouadhibou, Mauritania
This week’s contest took us to Mauritania and more specifically the iron ore port to the south of Nouadhibou.
The port ships out iron ore that arrives via some of the world’s longest trains from the mine near Zouérat.
Interestingly enough, travelers can ride on the train to or from Choum to the city of Nouadhibou – a dirty dusty ride.
Found this port:
- Eloy Cano
- mehmet DURMUS
- Garfield
- Horváth György
- Lighthouse
- Blaze
- rob de wolff
- Streaming Doc
- Phil Ower
After the hint:
- Ashwini Agrawal
- Andy McConnell
Contest #516 Hint
They ship out dirty stuff from here – that’s come a long way across the desert.