xTI
Yunder-the-hood* training additionally hazardous in the earlier models,
The extremely high rate of major accidents suffered with the early B-57
were largely incurred while pilots made transition into the p-c7,1?
Initial effort at obtaining B-57C aircraft was made for two of the
models to replace two B-57B aircraft and T-33 aircraft, the latter having

been used as trainers for sampling pilots.

Argument was advanced that

the B-57C aircraft could perform satisfactorily in dual status:

For

training or as sampler aircraft,
During the discussion, study, and maneuvering for later models,

nuclear scientists apparently began to worry that they might-be left with
no aircraft,

But Colonel C. B, Stewart, Vice Commander, Air Force Special

Weapons Center, wrote Dr, Graves, assuring him that their efforts would not
1
endanger getting those originallyasked for. ?

Procuring B-S7D
Prior to delivery of B-57A aircraft, cloud sampling officials received
notice of improvements to be made in the B-S7D,°°

According to their

information, the B-57D would approach in performance the requirements
specified by Eos Alamos .“+

Dr. Graves listed specifications in a letter to

the Air Force Special Weapons Center on 9 December 1953 and reviewed them

in a letter to Major General L. S. Stranathan, Field Command, Armed Forces
Special Weapons Project, on 2 August 195,

"Briefly," he wrote, "these

characteristics describe a two-place, high-speed aircraft with maximum

altitude capability (at least 60,000 feet) and with the ability to carry
filter units with a filter capacity high enough to enable the collection

26

AFWL/HO

SWEH~2-003),
ak?o .

or

Select target paragraph3