1944

From The Space Library

NACA established Special Committee on Self-Propelled Guided Missiles to recommend and coordinate research related to guided missiles. USAAF VB-1 controlled-trajectory sir-to-surface bomb (Azon) produced and used in European and Burma theaters.

Supersonic wind tunnel (Mach 1.7) completed at Aberdeen Proving Ground for use in ballistic research and development.

Initial contracts for rocket research aircraft development let by the AAF for the XS-1 with Bell Aircraft and by the Navy with Douglas Aircraft for the D-558-I, with NACA providing technical support under cooperative agreement.

During 1944-1945: First full-scale supersonic propulsion wind tunnel (8 by 6 feet) was conceived, designed, and directed by Abe Silverstein at NACA Lewis Laboratory. Capable of accommodating full-scale supersonic aircraft engines, it was the first of its size to have a flexible-wall test section, which allowed variations from Mach 1.4 to 2.

Japan launched approximately 10,000 Fugo balloons (30-foot diameter) carrying incendiaries and aimed at the North American continent.

Summer 1944: German "Reichenberg" program began for use of manned V-1's air launched from He-111's for suicide missions; test flights were made at Peenemünde.

During Fall: Preliminary studies were made of velocity gradients above wings of high-speed subsonic airplanes to determine feasibility of utilizing the wing-flow method in transonic model tests, at NACA Langley Laboratory. This led in the following winter to tests of a series of small airfoil models by this method, and later to use of rockets in flying aircraft models.