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concerning the sampling tanks which Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
was having designed and constructed for the B-57 on the premise that
the craft would be available,

Task Force officials also indicated that

they had not requested a B-52 as had previously been discussed for use

in casTLe.

Using all possible "pressure channels,” those trying to get

B-S7 aircraft for sampling resorted to the "power of the press" at least
once and tried to attract attention in the Research and Development
Quarterly Review. In that article, the arguments for using the B-57 were

emphatically stated, te
The breakthrough in getting B-57 aircraft was announced on 3 June
1953 at a meeting between Colonel Earl W. Kesling and Dr. Duncan Curry,

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, during which Colonel Kesling stated
that the Air Force Special Weapons Center would receive the first two B-57

aircraft allotted to Air Research and Development Command.2? General Earle E,
Partridge had used his influence, apparently, to get the planes approved and

allotted and had informed Maor General John S, Mills that it was possible
they would be available in time for casttz, 2°
Further study of the B-57A persuaded sampling officials that that

model's shortcomings were such that the B-57B should be obtained instead.
Almost immediately, procurement emphasis was placed on obtaining some
"Cc" in addition to the "A" or the "BY" models,

Prime improvement in the

B-57C was a dual control which enabled new pilot. check out with a mich higher
degree of safety than in earlier models which included only oe control,
Although

other military aircraft were similarly equipped, the degree of

proficiency at instrument flying required of sampler pilots made

2s
AFWL/HO

SWEH-2-003,

ab

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