SiaeRcae, + Rae n= into it in a quilted manner to make it conform to the body. This sec— tion was then attached to the nylon vest by four buttons. A water escape test of this new lead vest was conducted at the Kirtland swimming pool on 27 August. The escape results were satis- factory, but Dr. Hal Plank from J-1 of Task Group 7.1] recommended that three inches of lead material be added to each side of the vest to af~ ford more protection for the pilots' torsos. Dr. Plank's modifications were accomplished and tested on 18 September at the Sandia Base (Albuquerque, New Mexico) swimming pool. The modification was no hindrance to escape and the vests were declared satisfactory from both a flight safety and radiological safety standpoint. fied vest was six pounds. Total weight of the modi- In addition to the vest, backs and bottoms of pilots! seats in the F~84 samplers were sheathed with sheet lead to provide additional protection. The lead vest for WB=29 crew members was tested for emergency es- cape in mid-December and, although eight pounds heavier than the F-8, vest, was easily removed in the water. E. PLANNING FOR AIR SHIPMENT IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES In looking ahead to the possibility of shipment emergencies, in August 1953 General Estes had written Brigadier General Harold R. Maddux, Deputy Commander of the Pacific Division of the Military Air Transport Service, requesting information in case a "last minute emergency" arose for the rapid movement of large items to Bikini and a C-47 airlift or waterlift would be unable to handle it. awe 22