1959 U.S. AIR FORCE NEWS REVIEW - B-47 DRONES

Year Published: 1959

Description:

This episode of the U.S. Air Force News Review dates to 1959 and has the following sections: (1) Development of a B-47 Drone: Testing and control mechanisms for a drone aircraft used in evaluating air defense systems (2) Innovation in Aircraft Maintenance: Major Omar Reichman's modification to the F-104 afterburner, which improved maintenance and safety, earning him a top award. (3) Air Force Association Convention: A gathering of outstanding NCOs and Air Force leaders, featuring exhibits and speeches (4) Earthquake Response: The Air Force's role in search and rescue operations following a severe earthquake in Yellowstone National Park (5) Heat Stress Studies: Aeromedical research on the effects of heat stress on humans, simulating conditions for hypersonic vehicle crews (6) Water Survival Training: Realistic sea survival training for aircrews at the Fifth Air Force Water Survival School (7) Driving Skill Competition: A driving competition at Andrews Air Force Base (8) Atlas Missile Tests: Test launches of the Atlas missile, including a mission to photograph the Earth from space and a test of the Project Mercury manned satellite capsule

0:42: Tests are underway at the Air Proving Ground Center for the development of a B-47 drone aircraft to test air-to-air and ground-to-air defense weapon systems. A ground control vehicle monitors the drone's airspeed, altitude, and engine temperature during takeoff and landing. Note: A total of 14 RB-47Es were converted to QB-47E target drones in 1959 and 1960. These aircraft were radio-controlled and included self-destruct charges, arresting gear to assist landings, and carried pods on the external tank pylons to help in scoring weapons tests.

1:17: Once airborne, the drone is controlled remotely by a T-33 aircraft during its mission.

1:31: Upon mission completion, control is handed off to ground personnel for landing.

1:51 : The QB-47 drone provides a realistic evaluation of air defense weapon systems.

2:07: Major Omar Reichman of the 434th TAC Fighter Squadron developed a modification to the F-104 afterburner, solving a long-standing maintenance issue by forcing fuel to the burner with air pressure, preventing nozzle clogging.

2:37: The $15 device has saved the Air Force over a third of a million dollars in its first year.

2:49: Major Reichman receives the top award in the Air Force's suggestion program for his innovation.

3:19: Outstanding NCOs and their wives arrive at Miami International Airport for the Air Force Association's four-day convention.

3:48: The convention features a full-scale model of the X-15 and a replica of the orbiting Paddle Wheel satellite.

4:08 : The convention includes speeches from top Air Force leaders, including Secretary James H. Douglas and General Thomas White.

5:14: The aftermath of a severe earthquake in Yellowstone National Park, with the Air Force assisting in search and rescue operations. The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (also known as the 1959 Yellowstone earthquake) occurred in the western United States on August 17 at 11:37 pm (MST) in southwestern Montana. The earthquake measured 7.2 on the moment magnitude scale,caused a huge landslide, resulted in over 28 fatalities and left $11 million in damage.

6:04 -: Helicopters are used to evacuate campers from the affected area.

6:40 : Aeromedical laboratory studies on the effects of heat stress on humans, simulating conditions experienced by hypersonic vehicle crews.

8:10: The Fifth Air Force Water Survival School provides realistic sea survival training for aircrews.

9:08: Airmen learn life-saving lessons in water survival, including how to signal rescue helicopters and handle life rafts.

10:00: A driving skill competition at Andrews Air Force Base, where participants navigate a course with penalties for touching pylons.

12:08 : A routine test launch of the Atlas missile, with a camera in the nose cone to photograph the Earth from over 600 miles above.

12:41 : Another Atlas missile test involves the Project Mercury manned satellite capsule, providing valuable test information despite a shorter-than-expected flight.

13:24: The Air Force continues to develop the military aspects of space exploration with each new probe into the cosmos.

Complete Record: This episode of the U.S. Air Force News Review dates to 1959 and has the following sections: (1) Development of a B-47 Drone: Testing and control mechanisms for a drone aircraft used in evaluating air defense systems (2) Innovation in Aircraft Maintenance: Major Omar Reichman's modification to the F-104 afterburner, which improved maintenance and safety, earning him a top award. (3) Air Force Association Convention: A gathering of outstanding NCOs and Air Force leaders, featuring exhibits and speeches (4) Earthquake Response: The Air Force's role in search and rescue operations following a severe earthquake in Yellowstone National Park (5) Heat Stress Studies: Aeromedical research on the effects of heat stress on humans, simulating conditions for hypersonic vehicle crews (6) Water Survival Training: Realistic sea survival training for aircrews at the Fifth Air Force Water Survival School (7) Driving Skill Competition: A driving competition at Andrews Air Force Base (8) Atlas Missile Tests: Test launches of the Atlas missile, including a mission to photograph the Earth from space and a test of the Project Mercury manned satellite capsule 0:42: Tests are underway at the Air Proving Ground Center for the development of a B-47 drone aircraft to test air-to-air and ground-to-air defense weapon systems. A ground control vehicle monitors the drone's airspeed, altitude, and engine temperature during takeoff and landing. Note: A total of 14 RB-47Es were converted to QB-47E target drones in 1959 and 1960. These aircraft were radio-controlled and included self-destruct charges, arresting gear to assist landings, and carried pods on the external tank pylons to help in scoring weapons tests. 1:17: Once airborne, the drone is controlled remotely by a T-33 aircraft during its mission. 1:31: Upon mission completion, control is handed off to ground personnel for landing. 1:51 : The QB-47 drone provides a realistic evaluation of air defense weapon systems. 2:07: Major Omar Reichman of the 434th TAC Fighter Squadron developed a modification to the F-104 afterburner, solving a long-standing maintenance issue by forcing fuel to the burner with air pressure, preventing nozzle clogging. 2:37: The $15 device has saved the Air Force over a third of a million dollars in its first year. 2:49: Major Reichman receives the top award in the Air Force's suggestion program for his innovation. 3:19: Outstanding NCOs and their wives arrive at Miami International Airport for the Air Force Association's four-day convention. 3:48: The convention features a full-scale model of the X-15 and a replica of the orbiting Paddle Wheel satellite. 4:08 : The convention includes speeches from top Air Force leaders, including Secretary James H. Douglas and General Thomas White. 5:14: The aftermath of a severe earthquake in Yellowstone National Park, with the Air Force assisting in search and rescue operations. The 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake (also known as the 1959 Yellowstone earthquake) occurred in the western United States on August 17 at 11:37 pm (MST) in southwestern Montana. The earthquake measured 7.2 on the moment magnitude scale,caused a huge landslide, resulted in over 28 fatalities and left $11 million in damage. 6:04 -: Helicopters are used to evacuate campers from the affected area. 6:40 : Aeromedical laboratory studies on the effects of heat stress on humans, simulating conditions experienced by hypersonic vehicle crews. 8:10: The Fifth Air Force Water Survival School provides realistic sea survival training for aircrews. 9:08: Airmen learn life-saving lessons in water survival, including how to signal rescue helicopters and handle life rafts. 10:00: A driving skill competition at Andrews Air Force Base, where participants navigate a course with penalties for touching pylons. 12:08 : A routine test launch of the Atlas missile, with a camera in the nose cone to photograph the Earth from over 600 miles above. 12:41 : Another Atlas missile test involves the Project Mercury manned satellite capsule, providing valuable test information despite a shorter-than-expected flight. 13:24: The Air Force continues to develop the military aspects of space exploration with each new probe into the cosmos.

Transcription

e [Music] [Applause] at the air approving ground Center tests are underway leading to the development of a b47 drone aircraft for use in testing airto aair and ground to- a defense weapon systems for takeoff and Landing the huge drone a ground control vehicle has been developed which monitors air speed altitude and engine temperature and operates the Drone own controls during the tests a safety crew rides in the [Music] b47 once Airborne remote controls in a t33 are used to fly the Drone during its mission when the mission is complete and the b47 begins its Final Approach the t33 hands off control to the men on the ground the QB 47 will provide more realistic evaluation of the effectiveness of our air defense weapon systems major Omar reichman of the 434th TAC Fighter Squadron with his modification to the pilot burner of the f104 After Burner has solved a problem long plaguing maintenance and flying safety officials by forcing fuel to the burner by air rather than just fuel pressure major rman eliminated the tendency for the nozzles to Coke up and become clogged following engine shutdown [Music] [Music] tests have shown the $15 device completely successful with the first year savings to the air force of better than a third of a million dollars major rman arrives at Langley Air Force Base to receive the top award in usf's suggestion program on hand to welcome him to Tech headquarters is Lieutenant General William eert because of his determination and success in solving a pesky problem the Air Force's Top Cash award $1,500 and sincere thanks for a job well done go to Major Omar reichman arriving at Miami's International Airport are outstanding ncos and their wives representing each of the major air commands and who will be guests of honor during the Air Force association's 4-day convention at Miami Beach there's plenty to do and see for these outstanding Airmen who've come from as far as Morocco to the East and okanawa to the West a fullscale model of the X15 and a replica of the now orbiting Paddle Wheel satellite are part of the Aerospace Panorama and here are a couple of likely candidates for the next rocket to the moon [Music] could you tell me which way to the nearest water fountain while the various displays at the Panorama provoked great interest one sidelight of the conclave was the Gathering in one place at one time of many of the Air Force's top leaders Air Force secretary James H Douglas heads the list of prominent speakers to address the convention others to speak include the Air Force Chief of Staff General Thomas White commander of the air research and development command Lieutenant General Bernard Shri sack Commander in Chief General Thomas power commander of mats Lieutenant General wh tuner norad's new Commander General Lawrence cuter and general Frank everst new boss of Tactical Air Command at the awards banquet the outstanding Airmen are introduced individually and receive a claim in honor of their significant contributions toward furthering the Air Force mission for outstanding Airmen deserved Applause from their proud leaders this is the aftermath of one of the most severe earthquakes ever to hit the Yellowstone National Park area in Madison Valley West of the park one mountain literally shook apart avalanching an estimated 30 million tons of Earth into the path of the Madison River creating a new Lake in the nearby town of West Yellowstone buildings too felt the frightening power of the Quake with the disaster came sped vacationers injury and death to at least 10 persons the Air Force responds with aircraft and communication equipment and together with local officials quickly sets about searching for the hapless victims of this Caprice of nature [Music] most roads are destroyed or are impassible and campers caught in the area have to rely on helicopters to take them out for several days the search and rescue missions go on until everyone to be found has been [Music] evacuated in time of disaster our air force is there quickly putting Lessons Learned in Wartime to work relieving the suffering of those in need of help the man in the mc2 full pressure suit is about to get a hot foot all over it's part of aeromedical laboratory studies concerning the effects of heat stress on human beings the chamber in which the test subject has been placed is designed to simulate temperatures the crew of a Hypersonic vehicle would experience fear with instruments all set the test is about to begin information to be collected skin and body temperature pulse rate heart reaction quartz tube infrared lamps produce the Heat and temperatures can be raised at a rate of 100° per minute the subject's time in the chamber 13 to 15 minutes careful watch is kept on the man's reaction as the temperature reaches the boiling point inside the the chamber it's hot enough to prepare your breakfast egg a beaker of water boils 500° ever wonder what your Thanksgiving turkey feels [Music] like here at right air Development Center tests such as these permit aeromedical scientists to determine man's limits and what protection he'll need when facing the challenge of flight into and back from space [Music] no it's not meal time at the seizu it's survival time at zumu location of the Fifth Air Force water survival school this is no Sunday picnic no waiting contest air Crews from the Air Force Navy Marines and the self-defense forces of Japan get the most realistic sea survival training offered anywhere if you were to bail out over water one of the first things to do is get out of your parachute harness pretty realistic huh another situation you're down at Sea you signal a rescue chopper here you learn how the air rescue people operate [Music] now get set for some sore muscles how do you beat your six-man life raft in a pounding serf you get some [Music] advice you'll probably get awfully wet and a little beat up and a little chewing but at the end of an intensive 5 days of training you'll be ready for anything but anything over 2,000 Airmen a year learn life saving lessons in the Fifth Air Force's realistic water survival [Music] School what car enthusiasts at Andrews Air Force Base outside the nation's capital hold a competition of driving skill known as a JY caner the object is to drive in and around the prescribed course in as little time as possible with a 1 second penalty for every pylon touched performing now a Carman [Music] gear next the heavy hand of a woman driver on the responsive wheel of a TR [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] three and another Triumph [Music] [Music] that'll cost some [Music] [Music] points scores are tabulated by car class and the winners toen trophies of their driving skill Air Force personnel at Andrews finds sports car driving an exhilarating [Music] Pastime Cape Canal a routine test launching of the now operational Atlas [Music] there is one interesting added feature to this test the missile's nose cone contains a camera set to begin photographing the Earth at the instant the nose cone separates from the after body of the [Music] missile at its highest point the camera is over 600 Mi above the Earth where nearly sixth of the earth's surface is visible this is the highest altitude from which the Earth has been [Music] photographed following closely the photographic Atlas is another with a different Mission replacing the nose cone in this Atlas is a test model of the project Mercury man satellite capsule ready for its first missile launched flight test [Music] although the atlas propulsion was not normal and the flight shorter than anticipated the 2,000lb Mercury capsule was recovered from the water of the range and the test information gained proved extremely valuable with each new probe into the cosmos the Air Force moves a step closer to fulfilling its responsibility of developing the military aspects of exploration in space [Music]

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