—_—
.
bladders per suit and two extra helmets per crew were issued to the Test
Aircraft Unit from Gunter because past results indicated these items often
gave trouble.
No special technician would be required for maintenance of
these suits at the Proving Ground, but it was recommended that one airman
in each crew become especially proficient in the nomenclature and repair
of the suits.
It was the opinion of SAC that a bail-out above 45,000
feet would be practically impossible, therefore only a normal H-2 bailout bottle would be used.
It was also recommended that a "hot locker"
be constructed at Eniwetok where the Test Aircraft Unit could handle and
store the 48 pressure suits and that Colonel Houghton visit Nellis Air
Force Base, Nevada, to study diets used and messing systems for an "alti-
tude mess."
From 29 November through 3 December Colonel Houghton and Major Hall
took part in the High Altitude Indoctrination Course at Gunter, becoming
thoroughly indoctrinated in the nomenclature, fitting, maintenance and
use: of the T-1.
A list of necessary repair tools was forwarded to the
4926th Test Squadron (Sampling), the responsible agency for the care and
storage of the T-1 suits.
D,.
RADIATION PROTECTIVE DEVICES FOR PILOTS
During the same period, work was underway at Kirtland to develop a
new lead vest to be worn by the F=84 sampler pilots to minimize radi-
ation hazards.
As designed by the 4926th Test Squadron (Sampling), the
vest was composed of two parts:
a nylon, sleeveléss vest that buttoned
at the neck in the front; and the lead impregnated fibreglass attachment.
This latter part was a chest-size section of fibreglass with lead spun
AFWL/He
Sl