144 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1952 



found that the only spheres available at that base for tests were in 

 their operational airplanes they turned to the National Air Museum 

 for assistance rather than ground their airplanes and interrupt their 

 essential research. The Museum agreed to lend the spheres from 

 the X-l. The test consisted of pressurizing the spheres to their maxi- 

 mum of 1,500 p. s. i. and then reducing the pressure to zero, thus com- 

 pleting one cycle. The spheres indicated failure at approximately 

 1,800 cycles. It was found that NACA's airplane was very close to 

 the safety factor established as a result of these tests ; therefore, their 

 airplane was grounded for overhaul. At the close of the year ar- 

 rangements had been made to reinstall the spheres in the Museum's 

 Bell X-l. 



The Department of Justice, in connection with patent claims, has 

 been investigating basic types of attachments used in parachute gear 

 and found interesting examples among the early parachutes in the 

 collection. This Department was also assisted in looking up original 

 types of engine mounts and shieldings. The technical-data office of 

 the Bureau of Aeronautics was assisted in compiling records of 

 trophies and awards, in which naval personnel were represented. 

 The historical office of the Air Force was given assistance in setting 

 up forms and methods for recording historic specimens, based on pro- 

 cedures proven through the years in Museum practice. The Signal 

 Corps was helped in tracing types of kites used to support radio 

 antennae, and the Coast Guard consulted the Museum specimens and 

 records to trace techniques used in air-borne human pick-up gear. 



Educational institutions that benefited from Air Museum assistance 

 included local schools that were advised regarding their aeronautical 

 curriculum. The University of Pittsburgh was helped in tracing 

 details of the aerodynamic testing devices constructed and used by 

 Prof. S. P. Langley, third Secretary of the Smithsonian, when he was 

 at the Allegheny Observatory in 1886 before coming to this Institu- 

 tion. The Jam Handy organization of Detroit, engaged in prepara- 

 tion of training films and texts for the Navy and other users, turned 

 to the Air Museum for help in compiling a history of helicopter de- 

 velopment. The Musee de l'Air, Paris, France, through its distin- 

 guished conservateur, Charles Dollfus, requested aid in improving its 

 files on the NC-4, U. S. Navy flying boat, 1919, first to fly across the 

 Atlantic; and the RB-1, racing plane of advanced design entered in 

 the Gordon Bennett Race of 1920. It was a particular pleasure to 

 assist Mr. Dollfus, in view of his many kindnesses to the National 

 Air Museum. 



Assistance to industry has been in connection with filling in lost 

 records of past accomplishments in a variety of instances. The con- 

 tacts that are most gratifying are those in which the Museum recog- 

 nizes the significance of some treasured object preserved from the 





