[1950s U.S. SIGNAL CORPS METEOROLOGICAL TEAM AT CAMP CENTURY, GREENLAND (RAW FOOTAGE)]

Year Published: 1950s

Creator: U.S. Signal Corps

Description:

This untitled color film, likely from the late 1950s or early 1960s (probably 1959), offers a glimpse into the operations and environmental challenges encountered by the U.S. Signal Corps' Meteorological (Met) Team stationed at Camp Century in Greenland. The film features footage of various Meteorology instruments such as 1950s American radiosondes and a Pilot Balloon (Pibal) Theodolite in addition to various American military vehicles and aircraft like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Studebaker M29 Weasel. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Camp Century served as a U.S. Army testing ground for both scientific and strategic military technology within the harsh Arctic environment. Built in 1959 and operational throughout the 1960s, Camp Century was part of a larger initiative aimed at exploring the feasibility of hidden military installations under Greenland's ice sheet, with broader implications for Cold War defense and environmental research.

Film opens; Paratrooper disembarks Lockheed C-130 Hercules and smiles at camera while holding up fist (0:06). Lockheed C-130 Hercules on tarmac (0:19) Officer holds up 1950s American radiosonde - device lifted by balloon into upper atmosphere to measure temperature, humidity, and air pressure (0:57). Officers work in garage to ready weather balloon with attached radiosonde for launch, cinder block garage surrounded by snowy landscape dotted with Stevenson screens (1:05). Officers appear to be engaged in planning or coordinating communications, perhaps machines in background signal monitoring devices (2:02). Tall, lattice-style tower with guy wires; Likely used for maintaining reliable communications or for meteorological experiments (2:24). Perhaps telescope or laser range finder; Another device perhaps some sore of wind vane (2:55). Officer shovels snow into Jamesway hut through small hatch, likely to help with insulation or for fresh water supply (3:08). Officer checks on Stevenson screen, opens latch to reveal data recording instruments inside for camera (3:13). Close-up of instrument, similar to Belfort 594 Hygrothermograph (3:22). Camera pans up Tall, lattice-style tower with guy wires; Officer climbs up on ladder to lower data collection device (3:35). Studebaker M29 Weasel (tracked vehicle) drives over snowy terrain (4:37). Bright red Jamesway hut contrasts fresh white snow (4:53). Apparatus of spinning anemometers (5:01). Officer checks on another Stevenson screen, winds external crank (5:03). Interior of wind data collection machine (5:44). Officers prepare weather balloon for launch, use Pilot Balloon (Pibal) Theodolite to track balloon as it ascends into sky (6:02). Close-up apparatus of spinning anemometers (6:42). Douglas R4D-8/C-117D Skytrooper (7:10). Officer sits inside dimly lit room smoking pipe while combing over data (7:33). Officer makes adjustments to interior of 1950s American radiosonde (7:45). Officers launch another weather balloon with attached radiosonde from garage, other officers on roof adjust early satellite communication ground antenna to follow trajectory of balloon (7:55). Aerial views of desolate landscape below, rocky mountain formations, patches of snow, ice blue waters of North Atlantic Ocean (8:35). Shot of pilot in cockpit of what appears to be Lockheed C-130 Hercules (11:01). More aerial views of vast snowy landscape below (11:09). Shot of pilot and co-pilot in cockpit, view of control panel of perhaps Lockheed C-130 Hercules (11:20). More aerial views of terrain (11:41). Officer examines apparatus set up in remote icy location, also checks devices inside Stevenson screen (12:44). Officer enters Jamesway hut at worksite before going back out to inspect another apparatus of spinning anemometers (13:26). Camera pans work site, vast snowy landscape (14:07). Film ends (15:18).

Complete Record: This untitled color film, likely from the late 1950s or early 1960s (probably 1959), offers a glimpse into the operations and environmental challenges encountered by the U.S. Signal Corps' Meteorological (Met) Team stationed at Camp Century in Greenland. The film features footage of various Meteorology instruments such as 1950s American radiosondes and a Pilot Balloon (Pibal) Theodolite in addition to various American military vehicles and aircraft like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Studebaker M29 Weasel. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Camp Century served as a U.S. Army testing ground for both scientific and strategic military technology within the harsh Arctic environment. Built in 1959 and operational throughout the 1960s, Camp Century was part of a larger initiative aimed at exploring the feasibility of hidden military installations under Greenland's ice sheet, with broader implications for Cold War defense and environmental research. Film opens; Paratrooper disembarks Lockheed C-130 Hercules and smiles at camera while holding up fist (0:06). Lockheed C-130 Hercules on tarmac (0:19) Officer holds up 1950s American radiosonde - device lifted by balloon into upper atmosphere to measure temperature, humidity, and air pressure (0:57). Officers work in garage to ready weather balloon with attached radiosonde for launch, cinder block garage surrounded by snowy landscape dotted with Stevenson screens (1:05). Officers appear to be engaged in planning or coordinating communications, perhaps machines in background signal monitoring devices (2:02). Tall, lattice-style tower with guy wires; Likely used for maintaining reliable communications or for meteorological experiments (2:24). Perhaps telescope or laser range finder; Another device perhaps some sore of wind vane (2:55). Officer shovels snow into Jamesway hut through small hatch, likely to help with insulation or for fresh water supply (3:08). Officer checks on Stevenson screen, opens latch to reveal data recording instruments inside for camera (3:13). Close-up of instrument, similar to Belfort 594 Hygrothermograph (3:22). Camera pans up Tall, lattice-style tower with guy wires; Officer climbs up on ladder to lower data collection device (3:35). Studebaker M29 Weasel (tracked vehicle) drives over snowy terrain (4:37). Bright red Jamesway hut contrasts fresh white snow (4:53). Apparatus of spinning anemometers (5:01). Officer checks on another Stevenson screen, winds external crank (5:03). Interior of wind data collection machine (5:44). Officers prepare weather balloon for launch, use Pilot Balloon (Pibal) Theodolite to track balloon as it ascends into sky (6:02). Close-up apparatus of spinning anemometers (6:42). Douglas R4D-8/C-117D Skytrooper (7:10). Officer sits inside dimly lit room smoking pipe while combing over data (7:33). Officer makes adjustments to interior of 1950s American radiosonde (7:45). Officers launch another weather balloon with attached radiosonde from garage, other officers on roof adjust early satellite communication ground antenna to follow trajectory of balloon (7:55). Aerial views of desolate landscape below, rocky mountain formations, patches of snow, ice blue waters of North Atlantic Ocean (8:35). Shot of pilot in cockpit of what appears to be Lockheed C-130 Hercules (11:01). More aerial views of vast snowy landscape below (11:09). Shot of pilot and co-pilot in cockpit, view of control panel of perhaps Lockheed C-130 Hercules (11:20). More aerial views of terrain (11:41). Officer examines apparatus set up in remote icy location, also checks devices inside Stevenson screen (12:44). Officer enters Jamesway hut at worksite before going back out to inspect another apparatus of spinning anemometers (13:26). Camera pans work site, vast snowy landscape (14:07). Film ends (15:18).