xTT of combining it with a requirement from some other Air Force activity." Then he encouraged Dr, Spence to take action, ", . . we should personally explore with Al Graves the possibility of submitting the above proposed requirements as soon as possible "> On 13 December 195), Major Harry H. Elmendorf, after a trip to Wright Air Development Center and Headquarters, Air Research and Development Command, listed findings concerning the performance data of the B-S7D and recommended that procurement action be initiated inmediately, Time lag after procurement was authorized usually amounted to 18 to 2) months, "This appears to be an ideal aircraft for high altitude sampling and should be procured if sufficient justification can be obtained," he wrote,“ Dr. Spence apparently heeded the advice of Dr. Plank, for on 27 January 1955, Dr. Graves wrote to Brigadier General William M, Canterbury, Air Force Special Weapons Center, ", . . I believe that it is timely for me to indicate to you the extent of our need for the altitude capability which is presumably represented by the B-57D aircraft." the reasons for lending his aid,-? He then listed General Canterbury was apparently quite optimistic about obtaining B-57D aircraft which was reflected in his answer to Dr. Graves on 2 February 1955. In that letter he mentioned that he had a team at Air Force headquarters presenting the need, 26 ee eae The success of the procurement team appeared secured for on 17 February,1955, a formal request for the B-57D aircraft was submitted,* ‘General Canterbury received a notification of the placement of an approval request for three B-57D aircraft on 29 March 1955,- "The completeness of the information submitted by your center in justification of this requirement should aid materially in provoking a favorable decision by Headquarters 28 AfwadRO SWEH-2-003), oe