LETTER TO JAMES A. CUNNINGHAM JR. FROM WILLIAM E. LAWSON, III

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B00170R000100040007-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: June 7, 1982
• Content Type: LETTER

53i~/
Dear Jim
My apologies for the delay in getting
this letter to you. It initially went
out with an improper address and has just
been returned to me.
 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. James A. Cunningham Jr.
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
In order to finalize plans for transfer of a U-2C to the Smithsonian let me
briefly recap items we feel are resolved, our proposed solution to more
recent concerns of interested parties and those few actions still open.
1. Items resolved:
a. Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney will split the costs involved in preparation
and transportation of the U-2C and J-57 Engine to the museum. (Up to $50,000
commitment) ($45-50K estimate).
b. The delivery will be accomplished by truck and will be made to the
Smithsonian's Garber Facility.
c. The aircraft will be assembled and displayed at Garber until room is
made available in NASM main building.
d. Air Force will bear risk of liability insurance of shipped material
above standard commercial carrier liability limit of $250K per truck. This
limit is considered sufficient to protect the borrowed support equipment
still in active use. The aircraft and engine do not warrant additional
coverage as they have been declared surplus.
e. The save-list items identified in Mr. Johnson's letter will be removed
and retained for depot stock prior to shipment. (See item 2.a.below).
f. The J-75 P-13B engine is unavailable and will remain so for the
foreseeable future.
a. The museum has expressed a desire to receive a complete aircraft to
preserve aviation technology, as well as for exhibit purposes. All visable
components of the aircraft will be provided. The save-list components that
cannot be provided are still required as spares to our operational aircraft.
It is unacceptable to release these assets concurrent with aircraft delivery,
but, recognizing that at some future date these items will become surplus,
we proposed maintaining a shortage list at our depot and will provide these
items as they become surplus.
b. Recently you requested a Baird Atomic sextant of the type used on the
early U-2's be obtained and provided. The sextant will be provided if one can be
located; search is underway to locate a surplus asset for simultaneous donation.
 c. A surplus tail pipe will be provided with the aircraft as requested by
the museum. The U-2 depot will identify an asset and release it to Lockheed
for delivery as part of the donated aircraft.
d. The acquisition of a run out J-75 (Non P13-B) by the museum is a new
action we feel should be handled separately by the Smithsonian thru normal
channels. We do caution that, in our estimation, the U-2C airframe and non
J-75 P13-B engine will not be physically compatible and will be counter to
the museum's reputation for authenticity.
3. Open actions:
a. During your recent visit you expressed a need for an early July
delivery and approval for Lockheed to initiate their refurbishment and
shipping preparation. Pending establishment of a firm delivery date, and
resolution of support problems that final date might cause, I have sent
attached letter to Lockheed, Mr. Johnson, authorizing them to initiate
refurbishment preparation for shipment.
b. In conversation with Mr. Mikesh of the Smithsonian we discussed our
proposed action to resolve concerns expressed and believe he understands our
position on the save list items and J-75 engines. Discussion of timing and
physical constraints of the Garber site, plus requirement to return support
equipment to NASA on aircraft delivery truck's return trip, may pose a signif-
icant problem in assembly of the aircraft. If delivery occurs prior to
clearing of adequate interior space in the Garber facility; the unattractive
reassembly ywiof Air and thout proper handling personnel attempting Our letter disassembly/ lLockheed
suggests: a two month delay in shipping would preclude the problem entirely,
as a fall back position, you are exploring availability of handling equipment
from NASA at Wallops, or the museum may attempt to replicate necessary
devices from Lockheed drawings.
c. Concerning documentation requirements for the transfer, it appears
several possibilities exist. We will select the course meeting requirements
of AFR 210-4 but accomplishing the paper work with least pain to all. Any
route selected seems a formality only and no problems are expected.
4. Hope these actions will resolve immediate concerns of all and this
project can be moved to completion smoothly. Appreciate your support and
continued dedication.
WILLIAM E. LAWSON, III, Col, USAF
Chief, Special Projects Office
Directorate of Development &
Production, DCS/RD&A
1 Attachment
RDPJ Ltr to Lockheed
 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON, D.C
Mr. C.L. Johnson
Senior Advisor
Lockheed Corporation
Burbank, CA 91520
Dear Kelly
I sincerely appreciate the efforts of you and your company relative to
underwriting and facilitating donation of U-2 serial #347 and 0-57 SN
P610424 to the Smithsonian Museum. This letter is authorization to
proceed with those actions Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney generously
agreed to fund, preparation and trucking of this historic U-2 to the
Smithsonian Garber facility.
Your letter of 17 March 82 adequately addresses those save list items
the Air Force must retain as spares to support current operations. I
am pleased to say that Det 8 has agreed to the release of a tail pipe
to accompany the aircraft delivery. The Air Force feels the normal
commercial liability insurance ($250K per truck) will adequately cover
the borrowed handling equipment insurance requirements with the aircraft
and engine being surplus to Air Force needs. I believe any insurance
concern has been previously resolved.
Our conversations with the Smithsonian indicate a late August delivery
would be their first choice, but getting the aircraft is more important
than any of their delivery date problems. Please consider the Smithsonian
request and let me know as to the possibility of a shipping delay to late
August. If timing is critical to your funding of preparation and delivery
it should be the overriding factor. The Smithsonian plans to place the
aircraft in a facility at Garber which has a 30x3O foot door. The area
inside is not projected to be cleared to allow its assembly until late
August. If delivery occurs prior to facility availability they will (1)
assemble outside at delivery time and later disassemble/move in for
reassembly, or (2) simply unload and assemble at a later date inside the
building. Assembly/disassembly will be far more difficult and hazardous
for Smithsonian personnel because the loaned AGE will be returned to
California on the aircraft delivery trucks.
If the late August timing is not workable we will pursue other AGE
possibilities, such as the museum constructing their own devices from
drawings or loan of NASA equipment later.
WILLIAM E. LAWSON, III, Col, USAF
Chief, Special Projects Office
Directorate of DPVP1nmment &
Approved For Release 2011/09/29 : CIA-RDP90BOO170R000100040007-3