Page 1 - Combined_125_OCR

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