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W. P. Wright




                                                                                  S&M-ASM-53          June 10, 1968


                  L. G. Alexakos                    4831                          Space               Huntsville
                  J. E. Vaughn                      4831                          Space               Huntsville

                  Progress Report on Wind Tunnel Tests of Automobiles



                           A trip was made to Lockheed-Georgia Low Speed Wind Tunnel on
                  May 29, 1968 to discuss the forthcoming race car tests scheduled for
                  October 7 through October 21, 1968. Of prime interest was the ground
                  plane and methods for attaching the car to the balance system. The existing
                  ground plane was found to be satisfactory for use during these tests.
                  However, some modifications to the support system would be required.
                  Discussions were conducted concerning methods of car attachment and
                  mutual agreements reached. Lockheed will prepare preliminary drawings
                  and cost estimates of the required modifications and submit to Chrysler for
                  approval and authorisation of work. The possibility of conducting 3/8-scale
                  "drafting" studies in conjunction with the full-scale tests were also discussed.
                  Additional support modifications would be required, but the advantage of
                  various car positions offsets the additional expense.

                           Upon returning to Detroit, discussions were conducted with
                  Mr. Fred Deady concerning manpower utilization and continuity of the
                  scheduled race car program. I was unable to get an additional Huntsville
                  engineer involved in the 3/8-scale program for two reasons: 1) Mr. Deady
                  wants to utilize Dick Lajoie in the program, 2) a second engineer, M. Sioshansi
                  has been involved part-time in the program to date and has shown keen
                  interest in the work, something he has not shown in other work assignments.
                  Therefore, Mr. Deady wants to keep him involved in the program.


                           Mr. Deady did recognize the necessity of assigning another lead
                  engineer to the full-scale tests and agreed to the idea of utilizing an additional
                  Huntsville person in this capacity. However, the next day he informed me
                  that his boss, Mr. Morgan Dawley, had more or less limited support from
                  Huntsville to a one-man level. He did not offer any solution to the problem
                  of the necessity of a second lead engineer for the full-scale tests. Further
                  discussions of this subject are scheduled for later this week. However, at
                  present it looks dim for any additional manpower support from Huntsville
                  for this program.

                           As further insight to this lab's thinking, Mr. Deady solicited my
                  thoughts on an idea of his which involved computerized design of automobiles.
                  Prompted by the work from Los Alamos, where two scientists have succeeded
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