Forum Index > Pacific NW History > Mystery tinsel in the Olympics
 Reply to topic
Previous :: Next Topic
Author Message
Skookum Bill
Member
Member


Joined: 24 Sep 2010
Posts: 33 | TRs | Pics
Skookum Bill
Member
PostThu Nov 03, 2022 8:50 am 
I remember seeing what could best be described as short strands of Christmas tree tinsel, on the ground in subalpine areas in the Olympics, this being in the mid-1950's into the 1960's. These were not in campsites, but randomly throughout the landscape. My first encounter was on the slopes of Mt. Appleton in 1956. When discussed with whomever I was hiking with, it was suggested that it might have been some "military effort at jamming someone's radar." Are there any long memories out there that might shed light on this? SB

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Sculpin
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Apr 2015
Posts: 1376 | TRs | Pics
Sculpin
Member
PostFri Nov 04, 2022 7:53 am 
From your description it does seem likely that what you saw was chaff used to swamp radar with echoes. The planes that released it may have been offshore. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaff_(countermeasure)

Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir

Ski
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Pyrites
Member
Member


Joined: 16 Sep 2014
Posts: 1879 | TRs | Pics
Location: South Sound
Pyrites
Member
PostFri Nov 04, 2022 3:54 pm 
Was it quite thin? Dad described the aluminum chaff they used over Korea ‘50-‘51 as being about as thin as the foil on a stick of chewing gum wrapper. This was mostly daylight bombing. I don’t think it was used to hide the aircraft. I think it was to reduce efficacy of radar laid anti-aircraft guns. Hope this doesn’t violate.

Keep Calm and Carry On? Heck No. Stay Excited and Get Outside!
Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
Skookum Bill
Member
Member


Joined: 24 Sep 2010
Posts: 33 | TRs | Pics
Skookum Bill
Member
PostSat Nov 05, 2022 8:36 am 
Thanks for sleuthing this out. I do like the idea of the chaff perhaps being converted to holiday decorations, rather a take on "Beating Swords into Plowshares."

Back to top Reply to topic Reply with quote Send private message
   All times are GMT - 8 Hours
 Reply to topic
Forum Index > Pacific NW History > Mystery tinsel in the Olympics
  Happy Birthday speyguy, Bandanabraids!
Jump to:   
Search this topic:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum