II. ABSTRACT
The first successful, though nominal, constant level flight was made in a series of launchings at Alamogordo, New Mexico. Navy permission was given for New York University to purchase the Navy-sonsored polyethylene balloons from General Mills. This opens up the first source of large, light-weight plastic balloons. First delivery was made on the subcontract with H. A. Smith Coatings, Inc. for the 15-foot diameter heavy polyethylene balloons. Improved type ballast reservoir was designed and procurement started. Equipment was prepared for a second series of flights at Alamogordo in July.
III. a. PERSONNEL
The following men were hired:
Name Duties Qualifications
Dorion, Richard Navigator, Draftsman Former B-17 Radar Navigator. Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Student.
Higgins, Robert L. Equipment Construction Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Student. Army Instrument Mechanic at Oak Ridge.
Morrell, Paul Equipment Construction Undergraduate Engineering Student. Merchant Marine Engineer.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Clearance was obtained from the U. S. Navy for the purchase of plastic balloons from General mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
b. COMMUNICATIONS
8/26(1) Correspondence during this period was as follows
Date of
Correspondence Address Abstract Answer
6/16/47 Mr. A. P. Crary,
Watson Labs., AMC,
Alamogordo AAF,N.M. Forwarding check for
equipment recovery
reward None required