LETTER TO C.L. JOHNSON FROM WILLIAM E. LAWSON, III

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B00170R000100040011-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 29, 2011
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: June 7, 1982
• Content Type: LETTER

Dlr. 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 J-57 SN
P610424 to the Smithsonian Museum.. This-letter is authorization to
agreed to fund, preparationand trucking of this historic U-2 to the
Smithsonian or-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 Ansurance;IS250K 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 we know as to the possibility of a shipping delay to late
August. If timing is critical to yourfunding 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 30x30 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
Fcr 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 Development A
Production. DCS/AD&A
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 ir. Jaries 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 ne
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
conuitment) ($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 HASH main building.
d. Air Force will bear risk of liability insurance of shipped material
above standard commercial carrier liability limit of S250K 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.
C. 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. T?e museum has expresses a desire to receive a
; complete aircr?
J
"r=serve
aviation technology, as well as for exhibit purposes. All visable
rents of the aircraft will be provided. The save-list cor,:ootents that
.5..n ., Le 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 ar, they become surplus.
b. Recently you requested a Baird Atomic sextant of the type used or. 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.
 Approved For Release 2011/09/29 : CIA-RDP90BOO170R000100040011-8
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 (!aon P13-B) by the nuseun 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 airfrane 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
snipping preparation. Pending establishment of a fine 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
possibility of Air and Space personnel attempting aircraft disassembly/
reassembly without proper handling equipment results. Our letter to Lockheed
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.
Hope these actions will resolve innediate concerns of all and this
project can be moved to completion smoothly. Appreciate your support and
continued dedication.
WiLLIA1 LA;SOG, III, Col, USAF
Chief, Special Projects Office
Directorate of Development &
Production, DCS/RD?,J',
1 A-.ttachr..ent
.,,2PJ Ltr to Lockheed
2
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