SECRETARY'S REPORT 129 



for aerial navigation. The Navy's research workers investigating 

 rocket propulsion were given information regarding some of the basic 

 work performed by Robert Goddard by reference to the collection of 

 Goddard rockets and apparatus in the Museum. 



The spectacular employment of helicopters in the Korean war was 

 the subject of a meeting called by the Public Relations Office of the 

 Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics at which the curator furnished data 

 on types and assisted in planning a display and flight program held 

 later in the year in Washington under the direction of the Aviation 

 Industries Association. The National Advisory Committee for Aero- 

 nautics received assistance in editing articles on the scientific aspects 

 of the Wright Brothers' accomplishments. One of the flight projects 

 being conducted by that Committee required the use of an F-61 North- 

 rop Black Widow, a night fighter developed during World War II. 

 Use of the Museum's example was requested ; it was flight-conditioned 

 and lent to the N. A. C. A. for this important purpose. 



Both the Air Force and the Navy were aided in the preparation of 

 educational exhibits for Armed Forces Day displays involving use 

 of Museum material. The Naval Historical Foundation was assisted 

 in the preparation of a Naval aviation historical exhibit at the Trux- 

 tun-Decatur Naval Museum in Washington. Two airlines — United 

 and Capital — celebrated anniversaries this year and requested assist- 

 ance from the Museum in planning their programs and displays. Pratt 

 & "Wliitney Aircraft required basic information on cooling of aircraft 

 engines and were gratified to find helpful examples in Museum ma- 

 terial; this company was also assisted in making available to the 

 Museum of Science in Boston an early example of their Wasp engine. 

 The compilers of the Aircraft Year Book again called upon the Mu- 

 seum while preparing their review of the year's accomplishments, 

 and many authors, artists, and modelmakers were helped in various 

 projects. 



The National Aeronautic Association again appointed the curator 

 a member of their committee that selected the annual recipient of the 

 Brewer Trophy, awarded for advancing the interests of air youth 

 education ; the recipient was Lt. Comdr. John Burton. The Institute 

 of Aeronautical Sciences was lent one of the rockets from the Robert 

 Goddard collection, with approval of the Daniel and Florence Guggen- 

 heim Foundation, which prepared the original exhibition. 



During the year the curator by request lectured on the history of 

 aeronautics before several church, school. Boy Scout, and business 

 organizations; and he and other members of the staff conducted a 

 number of special tours of the collection for special groups including 

 four large units of Air Force and Naval officers studying aeronautical 

 history, structural characteristics, and aircraft recognition features. 



