Early Work in Aviation 



33 



Carl Norden with one of his bombsights shown installed in aircraft. 



I believe our Navy at that time was accused of using bombing aircraft and various other 

 types of aircraft in the Navy instead of one, perhaps, single aircraft up until almost the 

 beginning of World War II. But this, supposedly, was their intent-to test various models to 

 find a specific type. 



The dive bombers had to be specifically designed because the wing structure 

 of an ordinary airplane wasn't strong enough to take the stresses of dive 

 bombing and pullout. They were always trying to bring out something new 

 which was designed for that purpose. 



Did you have any occasion to fly Helldivers? They were, I think, the first aircraft with a 

 canopy that closed. 



Yes, I flew Helldivers. I think Grumman brought out the FF class, which was 

 the first that had a canopy put on there as such. On the earlier planes, we just 

 had a windshield in front of us. It was wide open. 



When were you first assigned to Dahlgren? 



I came here in the postgraduate course in September 1929. The course was 

 about 6 or 8 weeks long. Then I remember I left in late October. 



