1949

From The Space Library

USAF Advisory Committee headed by Louis N. Ridenour recommended that Air Force research and development be consolidated into a single command.

First "probe and drogue" method of contact aerial refueling performed in England (developed by Flight Refuelling, Ltd.). Early in year the USAF had issued requirement for development of a refueling method other than loop hose for use with single-seat jet fighter aircraft. After the nonstop round-theworld flight of the B-29 Lucky Lady using the Boeing loop-hose method in March, Boeing developed the "boom technique."

Complete fixed-component combined loads testing machine was completed and operated at NACA Langley Laboratory, remaining in use through 1960. It was first machine capable of applying forces along each of three axes and moments about those axes (positive and negative), in any combination of forces and moments, each applied independently.

Ari A. Sternfeld publishes his book "The Flight Into Space"