DEAR DICK: PROGRESS REPORT #9

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81B00879R001000020115-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 21, 2002
• Sequence Number: 115
• Publication Date: June 3, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2002/10/30 : CIA-RDP81 B00879R0010000201154 -; ,
3 June 1960
Dear Dick: , PROGRESS REPORT 09
During the month of riay, we began to Make real progress on the A-1?--
Having just returned from a trip on which I briefed you gixite thoroughly,
1 will make this a short report.
25X1
 Approved For Release 2002/10/30 : CIA-RDP81 B00879RO01000020115-6
MATERIAL STATUS
Between May 2n.1 and =Aay 27th, our rejection of titanium sheets
dropped from at high of 94% to 25%. From the 15th forward. our rate
of rejection was under 12'0. On a total of 890 parts made for the air -
plane. the final, net rejection was between 7? and 8%. Our meetings
with both Titanium Metals Corporation and -ere very
fruitful, a typical outcome of which is shown in the attached letter.
In the same period, our static test models, which six months ago
were failing at about one-half ultimate load, have now come up to the
point where every one tested has passed 100% ultimate load, some go-
ing as high as 1640. From some of these tests, there appears to be
some weight saving possible, but we are going to hold consistently
above 100% ultimate strength, in any case, merely as a matter of
good Judgment.
We are carving out some of the major nacelle rings with apparent
success. We have been able to double our rate of material removal
over the last month, getting up to about 2 cu. in. per minute. We
have developed flame cutting of heavy billet stock to the point where
we can cut 20 inches per minute through an 8-inch billet and reduce the
waste material between the flame and the part by 1 /2 inch. The basic
outlook on our material problem, which has definitely cost us schedule
time, is much better and I am well pleased that, having pulled 9000
test co