Arrangement of the shooting sites

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There were five shooting sites surrounding the "Minami nagano undo koen" stadium where
closing ceremony took place.
Sites A, A1, and A2 were located behind the Olympic flame from the spectators' point of view.
These were where most of the fireworks were launched.
All three sites shot the same pattern shells. The only difference was that site "A" shot larger
shells (up to 12"). The maximum size from the other sites was 10".

Site"A1" View of the back of Olympic flame.

Site"A" A row of 36 stainless steel mortars for 12" aerial shells on a farm road. They are braced with steel pipes, and under each one is a straw mat folded in half. Click any photo to enlarge.

Site"A"

Site"A" The 36 12" mortars are loaded and ready. Each mortar is covered with a fireproof sheet. The weather is beautiful. The snow-covered peaks of Japan's northern alps are visible in the distance.

Site"A" The arrays of mortars are arranged in five rows. Each are set on a tatami mat, because ground is very slushy. Without the mats, the mortars would be driven into the ground at odd angles by each shell's force of lift-off. That would be dangerous because then the shells' trajectories could not be controlled.

Site"A" Five of these arrays of mortars make up the program, "four seasons and a finale."

Site"C" Setting up on a farm road northeast of the stadium beside an apple orchard.

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