~ tee

and

rage pending fw

afproved by Hq, AMC.

:

operations,

This proposal was

Project BITTER PILL has been established to

accomplish the rehabilitation and storage of the operations property.

16 foot Wherry Boats were obtained from the U.S. Navy to meet
the Yequirenents of the Weather/Rad-Safe sites.

These boats were

used to sweep the lagoon aircraft landing areas, ferry passengers
and cargo between moored aircraft and shore, tow disabled aircraft
to safety and to meet any emergency rescue requirements.

The Wherry

Boats were not entirely satisfactory for these purposes.

They

lacked stability to navigate in moderately rough lagoon waters.

In

addition the size and design of these boats precludes installation of

two (2) outboard motors, required to tow an SA-16 aircraft.

Features

desired in the boats needed for use at the Weather/Rad-Safe sites are:
1.

Padded gunnels.

2.

A minimim of 50 horsepower,

3.

Maximum stability.

4.

Minimin draft.

5.

Simplified maintenance,

6.

Be capable of handling eight (8) passengers and/or 1200

pounds of cargo.
A spare aircraft engine program was developed during November 1957.
Total spares were predicated on the expected flying time planned for a

120 day period.

All engines except H-19, H-21 and portion of the C-54

engines were supplied by AMC in built-up configuration.

Approximately

25% of the total spares programmed were prepositioned at Eniwetok as the

initial requirements.
back-up stocks.

An additional 25% was positioned at SMAMA as

SMAMA shipped a replacement engine upon notification

of an issue by AFB 2872.

The reparable engine was shipped

from AFB 2872

162

1

AFWL/KO

| v

Select target paragraph3