168

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATION 1910-1995

1947-Continued

and included installation of two H-8 catapults,

strengthening the flight deck and clearing it of guns,

increasing elevator capacity and adding special provi-

sions for jet aircraft such as blast deflectors, increased

fuel capacity and jet fuel mixers. Oriskany, first of

nine carriers modernized under this project, began

conversion at the New York Naval Shipyard on 1

October 1947.

7 June FAW-10 was disestablished at NAB Sangley

Point, Philippines.

17 June The Navy awarded a contract to Douglas

for design study and engineering data for a delta

winged fighter. On the basis of the technical informa-

tion thus obtained, the Navy subsequently initiated

development of the XF4D-1.

26 June Development of low drag bombs was initi-

ated as the Bureau of Aeronautics authorized Douglas

Aircraft (EI Segundo) to undertake design of a bomb

release system with smooth flight characteristics at

subsonic speeds. This development was undertaken to

overcome the aircraft buffeting which was induced by

conventional bombs when carried externally at three-

quarters the speed of sound. The basic goal was

development of an external store shape which could

house conventional bombs, machine guns, rockets,

etc. and be adapted to use as an external fuel tank.

30 June FAW-18 was disestablished at NAS Agana,

Guam, in the Marianas.

9 July A Gorgon IV (PTV-2), powered by a subsonic

ram-jet engine, was air-launched from a P-61C and

made a 28-second free flight at the Naval Air Missile

Test Center, Point Mugu, Calif.

24 July The adaptation of the helicopter to amphibi-

ous warfare was initiated when the Chief of Naval

Operations established a requirement for a type capa-

ble of transporting assault troops from an escort carrier

and setting them down ashore along with their neces-

sary combat equipment and supplies.

26 July The National Security Act of 1947 became

law providing the most basic reorganization of defense

activities since the creation of the Navy Department in

1798. The law established the National Security

Council, the Central Intelligence Agency, the National

Security Resources Board, the National Military

Establishment and the Office of Secretary of Defense.

Within the National Military Establishment it estab-

lished a third service, the U.S. Air Force, the Joint

Chiefs of Staff, the Research and Development Board

and the Munitions Board. It also defined the United

States Navy as "including such aviation as may be

organic therein."

7 August An Act of Congress restored the Aeronautical

Engineering Duty Only (AEDO) designation abolished

in 1940, by authorizing the assignment of qualified offi-

cers of the line, including those designated EDO.

13 August Naval Air Development Station,

Johnsville, Pa., was established replacing the Naval

Aircraft Modification Unit. Its mission was develop-

ment of aircraft electronics, guided missiles and avia-

tion armament.

20 August Commander Turner F. Caldwell, piloting

the Douglas Skystreak D-558-1, broke the world's

speed record flying at 640.663 mph over the three-

kilometer course at Muroc, Calif.

25 August Major Marion E. Carl, USMC, flying the

Douglas Sky streak D-558-1, set a new world's speed

record of 650.796 mph over the three-kilometer course

at Muroc, Calif.

25 August Tests of the Douglas low drag bomb

shape were begun at the Southern California

Cooperative Wind Tunnel at Pasadena, Calif.

"

D-558-1 research ailplane, set 1947 speed record 704422