W-47

A reconstructed simulation of the bomb testing rail used during Project W-47, bringing the pivotal engineering features of Wendover Field to life.
Launch Rail Simulation, A reconstructed simulation of the bomb testing rail used during Project W-47.

The goal of W-47, led by Professor Tim Nohe of the Visual Arts Department, is to uncover, visualize, and bring back to life lost structures and facilities that played a pivotal role in the United States’ development and use of nuclear weapons during World War II. The “Little Boy” and the “Fat Man” atomic bombs were developed by the Manhattan Project in an ultra-secret operation code-named “Project W-47” at the isolated and now largely abandoned Wendover Army Airfield, Wendover, Utah. What remains in Wendover today are the tracings of building foundations, scattered artifacts, and a few preserved structures such as the “Enola Gay hangar” and an atomic bomb loading pit. From these residual marks, W-47 uses the computer to trace the illegible, to raise these lost structures up from the rubble, and to bring the ghosts back to life.

The simulation recreates the building features of the ultra-secret W-47 project and situates them in an aerial view of Wendover Field derived from satellite imagery. Buildings were recreated from exacting measurements made in the field at Wendover, and this “ground truth” enhances the experience of virtually walking through or flying over the barren salt flats.

The historical site of Wendover Army Airfield, home to Project W-47, where the United States developed and tested critical aspects of nuclear weaponry during World War II.
Wendover Air Force Base Sign. The historical site of Wendover Army Airfield, home to Project W-47
A digital recreation of aircraft lined up at Wendover Field, recalling the role of the Enola Gay and other bombers in Project W-47 operations.
Aircraft on Wendover Field, A digital recreation of aircraft lined up at Wendover
A simulation of the atomic bomb loading pit used for Project W-47, highlighting the ingenuity and secrecy of the Manhattan Project's operations."
Bomb Loading Pit Reconstruction

W-47 asserts a new approach to the documentary by examining:

  • What Was – by recovering archival film footage, sound recordings, documents, and photographs.
  • What Is – by documenting the environs, ruins, and artifacts of present-day Wendover.
  • What May Have Been – by merging a ghostly past and present with synthetic re-creations of the real that are neither past nor present.

Researchers and Creators

Artist/Researcher: Tim Nohe, Department of Visual Arts

Technical Director: Eric Smallwood

3D Modeling: Aaron Basch, John Rouse, Sina Taherkani

Students

IRC Graduate Assistant: Chad Eby

This IRC interdisciplinary collaboration is being supported in part by funds from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

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