NASA Western Support Office Records at NARA Riverside, 1939-1969

Guide prepared by Gwen Pattison and Glenn Bugos
NASA Ames Research Center History Office
Mail Stop 207-1
Moffett Field, California 94035
©2006 NASA Ames Research Center. All rights reserved.

NASA Western Support Office Records at NARA Riverside, 1939-1969

NASA Ames Research Center History Office

Contact Information:

  • The National Archives at Riverside
  • 23123 Cajalco Road
  • Perris, CA 92570
  • Phone: 951-956-2000
  • Email: riverside.archives@nara.gov
  • URL: http://www.archives.gov/riverside
Collection processed by:
Gwen Pattison
Finding aid writteny by:
Gwen Pattison and Glenn Bugos
Date Completed:
2000, 2006
©2006 National Archives and Records Administration, Pacific Region, Riverside, CA. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: NASA Western Support Office Records at NARA Riverside
Date (inclusive): 1939-1969
Collection Number: Record Group 255
Creator: Western Support Office
Extent: Number of containers: 46

Volume: 19 linear feet
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration, Riverside.
Perris, CA 92570
Abstract: The Western Coordination Office (WCO) was established to act as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) liaison with aircraft companies and aeronautics research units of colleges and universities in the western region of the United States. Its functions were eventually transferred to the Western Support Office (WSO) in 1966, which reported to the Office of Industry Affairs at NASA headquarters. The materials in this collection include administrative documents, reference memoranda, and correspondence primarily generated by Edwin P. Hartman, the WSO coordinator.
Language: English

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research. Access to some records is restricted due to national security classification status. Some reports have retained their secret security classification (FOIA (b)(1) National Security, Secret). All queries for records described in this guide should originate with NARA at Riverside.

Publication Rights

Copyright does not apply to United States government records. For non-government material, researcher must contact the original creator. Additionally, each document that has a security classification affixed must have a declassification marking stamped on the document prior to any type of reproduction.

Preferred Citation

RG255, [Identification of item], NASA Western Support Office Records, [Container number]: [Folder number], National Archives and Records Administration, Riverside, California.

Administrative History

The Western Coordination Office (WCO) was established to act as the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) liaison with western aircraft companies and aeronautics research units of western colleges and universities. The WCO reported directly to the Director of the NACA.
Soon after the NACA was absorbed into the newly-established National Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA) on October 1, 1958, the WCO was abolished by General Management Instruction (GMI) 2-2-16, NASA, August 25, 1959 and its functions transferred to the Western Operations Office (WOO), which was created by the same GMI. The WOO continued to work as a liaison with aerospace companies and research facilities. Their duties were expanded to include public affairs and administrative and management support of NASA activities west of Denver, Colorado.
The WOO reported to the Associate Administrator of NASA at NASA headquarters. The WOO gained responsibility for management of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) contract by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) through GMI 2-2-16, NASA, March 7, 1962. The WOO’s contract management and procurement responsibilities were transferred to the NASA Resident Office-JPL (NRO-JPL) on May 8, 1966 in a memorandum from the Associate Administrator to the Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, dated October 19, 1965, subject: Prime Contracting Arrangements for Voyager. The NRO-JPL was abolished by NASA Management Instruction (NMI) 1136.27, June 15, 1966. Its remaining functions were transferred to the Western Support Office (WSO) which reported to the Office of Industry Affairs at NASA headquarters.
The NRO-JPL was redesignated as the NASA Pasadena Office (NAPO) by NMI 1138.9, August 17, 1966. These records can be found in a collection titled “NASA Pasadena Office” and also housed at NARA Riverside as part of its Record Group 255.

Indexing Terms

The following terms may be used to index this collection.

Personal Name

Hartman, Edwin Phelps, 1905-
Robinson, Russell G. (Russell Gideon), 1907-2003
Kamm, Robert W. (Robert William), 1917-2001
Mulholland, Donald

Corporate Name

Western Support Office
United States. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

Subjects

Aerospace engineering
Aeronautical engineering

Scope and Content

The WSO Collection consists primarily of correspondence and memoranda relating to the needs and activities of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), a body established by Congress in 1915 to serve as an aeronautical advisory board to the government and the private sector. Subjects covered in this collection include the research and development activities of the US military, aerospace companies, universities and other facilities associated with the NACA and later NASA. Many of the memoranda reports relate to the needs, progress and activities of the aerospace industry, and academic research conducted in aerospace engineering, in the western United States, and were prepared by Edwin P. Hartman, the NACA Western Coordinator.

Arrangement of the Western Support Office Papers

The papers are arranged into 7 series:
  • I. Central Files, 1939-1962 (NARA ARC Identifier 608525)
  • II. Reference Memorandums of Edwin P. Hartman, 1940-1956 (NARA ARC Identifier 607812)
  • III. Confidential Reference Memorandums, compiled 1940-1962 (NARA ARC Identifier 607317)
  • IV. Secret Reference Memorandums, compiled 1946-1961 (NARA ARC Identifier 607259)
  • V. Reference Memorandums of Harrison Chandler, compiled 1940-1947 (NARA ARC Identifier 608523)
  • VI. Correspondence of the Western Coordinator, compiled 1940-1951 (NARA ARC Identifier 607622)
  • VII. Organizational History Files, compiled 1959 - 1968, documenting the period 1939 - 1969 (NARA ARC Identifier 608638)

 

Series I Central Files 1939-1962

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 608525
Physical Description: 18 Boxes 7 ft. 6 in.
Physical Location: A008662-A008670

Scope and Content Note

This series includes correspondence, memorandums, reports, newspaper clippings, and teletypes relating to the research and development activities of the United States military, aerospace companies, universities and other facilities associated with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), and later National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Topics include contract files for projects such as the interplanetary and lunar flight project (Vega) being developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, symposia and conference summaries for meetings such as the Manned Space Station Symposium, background information on aerospace companies which includes correspondence, reference memorandums and trip reports summarizing commercial, military and space research and development. Internal management materials include legislative program files, reorganization planning for the Western Coordination Office (WCO), later the Western Operations Office (WOO) and the Western Support Office (WSO) and correspondence with other NACA/NASA units such as NASA headquarters, Ames Research Center, Lewis Research Center and Goddard Space Flight Center.
Arranged alphabetically by subject and there under chronologically.
Box 1

ARDC Ballistic Missile Division, 1957-1960

Box 1

ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency)

Box 1

Activity Report, August 1962 - December 1962

Box 1

Aerojet, 1953-1960

Box 1

Aerolab Development Co., 1960

Box 1

Aerospace Industries Association, September 28, 1960

Box 1

AFBMD (Agena & Centaur), January 25-28, 1960

Box 1

Aerophysics Development, 1954-1958 1954-1958

Box 1

Aeronutronics Systems, Inc., 1959

Box 1

ACFT OPN Meetings, November 5, 1958

Box 1

ACFT, Missiles and Spacecraft Committee Meetings, October 9, 1958

Box 1

AiResearch, 1951-1960

Box 1

AiResearch

Box 1

Ames

Box 1

Ames—Correspondence with Individuals (personal), 1958

Box 1

Ames—Facilities and Equipment, 1957

Box 1

Ames—Personnel and Organization, 1955

Box 1

Atlantic Missile Range

Box 1

Atlantic Research Corporation, 1960

Box 1

Automatic Stabilization and Control

Box 2

Beckman Instruments, Inc., 1958-1959

Box 2

Blue Scout Status Report

Box 2

Boeing, 1951-1956

Box 2

Boeing, 1957-1959

Box 2

Booster Recovery Project (Contract and Contract Administration), 1959

Box 2

CAA

Box 2

Caltech—Payments, Contract NASw-6, 1958-1959

Box 2

Caltech-JPL-LAOD (Technical)

Box 2

California Institute of Technology, 1953-1958

Box 3

California Institute of Technology, 1950-1952

Box 3

California Research Corporation, 1951-1958

Box 3

Cavea B Status Report

Box 3

Centaur Project (Technical)

Box 3

Chance-Vought, 1956-1959

Box 3

Chance-Vought, 1952-1955

Box 3

Chemical Energy Processes Committee, October 29, 1959

Box 3

Civil Aeronautics Administration, 1959

Box 3

Conferences, Symposiums, etc. (outside), 1958-1959

Box 3

Consolidated Vultee—San Diego, 1951-1954

Box 3

Contractor Proposals—WO-60-1, 1960

Box 3

Convair, Forth Worth, 1955-1959

Box 3

Contracts Division, 1959

Box 4

Convair—San Diego (Airplane), 1957-1959

Box 4

Convair—San Diego (Astronautics), 1956-1960

Box 4

Convair—San Diego, 1955-1956

Box 4

Cooper Development Corp., 1959

Box 4

NASA-DOD Space Science Committee, May 13, 1960

Box 4

Corrosion Loop Status Report

Box 4

NASA-DOD Space Science, Minutes, October 30, 1959

Box 4

Dallons Laboratories

Box 4

Delta Status Report

Box 4

Delta Operations, March 9, 1960

Box 4

Disbursement of Pay Checks

Box 4

Douglas—Long Beach, 1955-1959

Box 4

Douglas—Santa Monica (Missiles), 1956-1959

Box 4

Douglas—Santa Monica (Airplane), 1955-1956

Box 4

Douglas—Santa Monica (Airplane), 1957-1959

Box 4

Douglas Aircraft NAS 7-1, 1961

Box 4

Douglas—Santa Monica, 1954-1953

Box 4

Douglas

Box 5

Douglas

Box 5

G.M. Giannini Co. Inc., 1956-1958

Box 5

Government, 1953-1954

Box 5

Hartman

Box 5

Hartman Memos (and Kamm) Record Copies

Box 5

Hartman Memos

Box 5

Headquarters Office—Office of Executive Secretary, 1956

Box 5

Headquarters Office—Office of Executive Secretary, 1955

Box 5

HSFS Correspondence, 1958-1959

Box 5

Headquarters Office—Office of Executive Secretary, 1957

Box 5

Headquarters Office—Office of Director, 1955

Box 6

Helicopters

Box 6

High Energy Stage Booster—Contract NAS3-262 and Contract Negotiation, 1958

Box 6

Hoffman Electronics Corp., 1961

Box 6

Home Life Insurance, 1961

Box 6

Hughes, 1956-1959

Box 6

Hughes Aircraft Corp., 1961

Box 6

Hughes Aircraft Corp.

Box 6

Hydrogen Pumps, 1960

Box 6

Invitations & Schedules, 1961

Box 6

Invitation for Bid Request for Proposal, 1960

Box 6

Jet Propulsion Lab Teletype Svs, 1962

Box 6

Jet Propulsion Lab Research Conf, 1961

Box 6

JPL-WOO Communications Study, 1960

Box 6

JPL Guidance & Control, 1960

Box 6

General Correspondence (for screening records)

Box 7

Legislative Program for 1961

Box 7

Lewis Research Status Report

Box 7

Lockheed—Burbank (Airplane), 1957-1959

Box 7

Lockheed (Missile Systems), 1957-1960

Box 7

LMSD Sunnyvale, March 1960

Box 7

Lockheed Missile Systems Div., 1954-1956

Box 7

Lockheed Aircraft Corp.

Box 7

Los Angeles Ordnance District, 1959

Box 7

McDonnell, 1952-1954

Box 7

McKinsey & Co., re. WCO Operations

Box 8

MSFC—General Correspondence, 1961

Box 8

MSFC—Visits and Visitors, 1960

Box 8

Manned Space Station Symp., 1960

Box 8

Marquardt, 1957-1960

Box 8

Marquardt, 1945-1954

Box 8

Marquardt, 1955-1956

Box 8

Martin Co.—Denver, 1957-1960

Box 8

Maser Clock—Contract NASw-62, Contract and Contract Negotiations, 1959

Box 8

Menasco Mfg. Co.

Box 8

Mercury Status Report

Box 8

Minneapolis Honeywell

Box 8

Miscellaneous WOO Correspondence, 1959-1960

Box 8

Miscellaneous, 1955-1960

Box 9

Miscellaneous Companies, 1951-1954

Box 9

Miscellaneous Companies, 1946-1950

Box 9

Miscellaneous Companies, 1940-1945

Box 10

Miscellaneous Eastern Companies, 1957-1958

Box 10

Miscellaneous

Box 10

Miscellaneous Propeller Calculations

Box 10

Miscellaneous Western Companies, 1960

Box 10

Mulholland, 1960

Box 10

NASA Headquarters Office of the Administrator

Box 10

NASA Budget and Fiscal Matters, 1960

Box 10

NASA Programs

Box 10

NASA Projects

Box 10

NASA Staff Conference, 1960

Box 10

NASA Contract Information (Miscellaneous)

Box 11

NASA Meeting (Agenda Item for the 50th)

Box 11

NERVA Status Report

Box 11

NERVA Status Report

Box 11

NAA—Los Angeles, 1955-1956

Box 11

NAA—Los Angeles, 1957-1960

Box 11

NAA—Downey, 1955-1956

Box 11

NAA—Downey, 1957-1960

Box 11

NAA—Canoga Park, 1957-1959

Box 11

NAA Astrodyne—Texas

Box 11

NAA

Box 11

North American, 1953-1954

Box 11

North American, 1951

Box 11

North American, 1955-1956

Box 11

North American, 1952

Box 11

Northrop, 1956-1960

Box 11

Northrop Aircraft Inc., (NAS1-3200), 1960

Box 11

Northrop Aircraft Corp.

Box 11

Northrop, 1953-1955

Box 12

OGO Project Status Report

Box 12

Oregon State College

Box 12

Organization & Management, (4-3) 1960

Box 12

Organization & Management, (1-1) 1960

Box 12

Organization & Management--WOO, 1960

Box 12

Organization & Management--Lewis, 1960

Box 12

Organization & Management--Goddard, 1960

Box 12

Organization & Management--Headquarters, 1960

Box 12

Request for Overtime

Box 12

Pacific Bendix

Box 12

Pacific Missile Range

Box 12

Pan American

Box 12

Plans for Expansion—J.C. Lindsay, 1960

Box 12

Power Plants for Aircraft

Box 12

Preliminary Survey of Engineering Standards

Box 12

Proof Test of Expansion Joint (NAS2-401)

Box 12

Public Law 86-569 Assigned, 1960

Box 12

Quality Engineering Survey Reports, 1960

Box 12

Radioplane Company, 1955-1960

Box 12

Ramo-Wooldridge Corp., 1958-1959

Box 12

Ramo Wooldridge Corp., 1954-1957

Box 12

Rand, 1957-1960

Box 12

Rand, 1948-1956

Box 12

Refered Letters, 1962

Box 12

Reimbursement for Expenditures, 1960

Box 12

Repro Requirements

Box 12

Research Advisory Committee, 1961

Box 12

Research Development Contracts, 1960

Box 12

Research Grants and Contracts (NASw-6550, University of Michigan)

Box 12

Research Grants and Contracts, 1961

Box 13

Research Grants and Contracts, 1960

Box 13

Research Grants and Contracts, 1959

Box 13

Research Grants and Contracts, 1959

Box 13

Rocketdyne H-1 Engine NAS 7-3, 1962

Box 13

Rocketdyne 1500-K Engine (Audit) Contract NASw-16

Box 13

Ryan, 1960

Box 13

Ryan Aeronautical, 1954-1958

Box 13

Scientific Information, 6

Box 13

Scientific Information, 4

Box 13

Scientific Information, 4-2

Box 13

Scientific Information, 5

Box 13

Scientific Information

Box 13

Shell

Box 13

Shell, 1939-1957

Box 14

SNAP 8 Status Report

Box 14

Solar Radiation Report

Box 14

Solar, 1955-1959

Box 14

Solar, 1940-1954

Box 14

Space Occupied by NASA WOO

Box 14

Space Technology Laboratories, 1958-1960

Box 14

Standard Oil Company

Box 14

Stanford Research Institute

Box 14

Stanford University

Box 14

Meetings—Structural Design Committee, 1959

Box 14

Sundstrand Aviation

Box 14

Sundstrand Aviation, 1961

Box 14

Syncom Status Report

Box 14

Thor-Able Review Team Meeting, 1958

Box 14

Technical Editing

Box 14

Telecommunications Service, 1960

Box 14

TIMM

Box 14

TIROS Project—Contract, 1959

Box 14

TIROS Project, Technical

Box 14

T1 Timer Report

Box 14

Traffic Safety and Regulations, 1960

Box 15

Traffic Study—Telephone System, 1960

Box 15

Trips WOO

Box 15

Trip Reports, 1960

Box 15

TWX Monthly, 1960

Box 15

United Airlines, 1956-1959

Box 15

Universities (Miscellaneous), 1958

Box 15

University of Southern California, 1950-1958

Box 15

University of California, 1955-1958

Box 15

University of California at Berkeley

Box 15

University of Washington

Box 15

VG & VGH Program, 1954-1959

Box 16

VG & VGS Program, 1949-1953

Box 16

Valves for Cryogenic Fluids, 1960

Box 16

Vega Project, NASw-45, 1960

Box 16

Vega Project, Correspondence, 1959

Box 16

Vega Centaur VEH Systems Review Meetings, 1959

Box 16

Vega Program

Box 16

Vega Pad No. 36 Launch Complex

Box 16

Vega Project—Technical Communications

Box 16

Vega Airplane Co.

Box 16

Visits

Box 16

Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp., 2

Box 17

Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corp., 1

Box 17

WCO—Communications, 1959

Box 17

WCO—Communications, 1958

Box 17

WCO—Correspondence, 1955-1959

Box 17

WCO—General Fiscal Budgets, estimates, 1957-1959

Box 17

WCO—Leases and Rentals, 1953-1955

Box 17

WCO—Plans, 1958-1959

Box 18

WOO-Staff Meetings

Box 18

Washington State College

Box 18

Williamsburg Lodge, Virginia, Conference, 1960

Box 18

ZAP

Box 18

609A Coordination Meeting, 15 July 1960

Box 18

609A Technical Program No. 2

Box 18

609A Technical Program, No. 1

 

Series II Reference Memorandums 1940-1956

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 607812
Physical Description: 13 Boxes 6 ft.
Physical Location: A008672-A008676

Scope and Content Note

These memorandums were created to inform administrators at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) concerning the needs for and progress of aeronautical research, through visits to and consultations and correspondence with aircraft and allied industries, governmental agencies, and scientific and educational institutions.
This series contains memorandum reports, handwritten notes and correspondence related to activities of the aerospace industry and academic research in aerospace engineering in the western United States. A typical report contains background information on the company or research facility visited including financial background, some organizational charts, current military contracts, competitions for contracts and sketches of mechanical components under developments. The reports also include discussions of engineering successes and failures, proposed tests to be carried out at NACA test facilities. All reports were researched and written by Edwin P. Hartman, NACA Western Coordinator.
These records were a part of the series "Correspondence of the Western Coordinator," which has been known as "Correspondence of Edwin P. Hartman" in other finding aids.
Subjects in these reports include both military and commercial research. Engineering topics include deicing systems, low-drag airfoils, welding problems and cabin pressurization. Files also include Hartman's travel schedules which detail scheduled industry visits and conferences. Of note is Hartman's report written following the 1947 test flight of the Hughes H-4 flying boat, commonly known as the "Spruce Goose."

Arrangement

Arranged in a loose chronological order by binders and there under alphabetically by facility or subject and thereunder strictly chronologically.
Box 1

Travel Schedule “A”

Box 1

140 Edwin P. Hartman Travel Schedule “B”

Box 1

140 Edwin P. Hartman Travel Schedule “C”

Box 1

Travel Schedule “C” -2

Box 1

Travel Schedule E-HH, 1940-1944

Box 2

Travel Schedule I-M, 1940-1944

Box 2

Travel Schedule O-R, 1940-1944

Box 2

Travel Schedule S 1/2, 1940-1944

Box 2

Travel Schedule S 2/2, 1940-1944

Box 2

Travel Schedule T-V, 1940-1944

Box 2

Travel Schedule W-Z, 1940-1944

Box 3

Travel Schedule—Consolidated, 1940-1944

Box 3

Travel Schedule—Consolidated, 1943-1944

Box 3

Travel Schedule—Douglas, El Segundo 1/2, 1942

Box 3

Travel Schedule—Douglas, El Segundo 2/2, 1942

Box 3

Travel Schedule—Douglas, El Segundo, 1943-1944

Box 3

Travel Schedule—Douglas, Santa Monica, 1943-1944

 

Series III Confidential Reference Memorandums 1940-1962

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 607317
Physical Description: 3 Boxes 1 ft.
Physical Location: A016374-A016375

Scope and Content Note

These memorandums were created to inform administrators at the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) and later the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) about the research and development activities being conducted by academia and the aerospace industry in the western United States.
This series contains memorandum reports, handwritten notes and correspondence related to activities of the aerospace industry and academic research in aerospace engineering in the western United States. A typical report contains background information on the company or research facility visited including financial background, some organizational charts, current military contracts, competitions for contracts and sketches of mechanical components under development. The reports also include discussions of engineering successes and failures, proposed tests to be carried out at National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) test facilities such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and industry testing facilities. Most reports were researched and written by Edwin P. Hartman, NACA Western Coordinator and his Assistant Coordinator, Donald R. Mulholland.
Subjects in these reports include both military and commercial research. Topics include NACA plastics and plywood survey, oil foaming research, exhaust-heat exchanger and cabin pressure research, United States Air Force (USAF) Long Range Interceptor aircraft and Navy Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) airplane competitions, ramjet development, solid and liquid rocket propellant research, development of supersonic aircraft, Custer Channel Wing-5's first flight at Oxnard, California in 1953, the launch of the Pioneer-1 lunar probe on October 11, 1958, the investigation of Hsue-Shen Tsien in 1950 for espionage, missile development including the Navaho, Thor and Atlas missiles, and helicopter and flying boat development. Also contained are descriptions of rocket and missile tests conducted at the Naval Ordinance Test Station (NOTS), the Rocket Motor Test Facility (USAF) and the Pacific Missile Range at Point Mugu.
This series was known as "Confidential Memorandums and Reports" in other finding aids.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically.
Box 1

Russell Robinson-Memorandums, 1940

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/2, 1940-1943

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/2, 1940-1943

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/2, 1944-1946

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/2, 1944-1946

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/2, 1947-1948

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/2, 1947-1948

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/3, 1949-1952

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/3, 1949-1952

Box 1

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums3/3, 1949-1952

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/2, 1953

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/2, 1953

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/2, 1954-1955

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/2, 1954-1955

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 1/2, 1956-1957

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums 2/2, 1956-1957

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Memorandums, 1958-1959

Box 2

Edwin P. Hartman—Handwritten Notes

Box 2

Donald P. Mulholland—Memorandums, 1957-1961

Box 3

Vanguard-Thor Review Team, Visit to Space Technologies Laboratory, 1958

Box 3

Frank P. Boffola—Memorandums, 1958

Box 3

Marvin Abramovitz—Memorandums, 1959

Box 3

Neil A. Holmberg—Memorandums, 1960

Box 3

William B. Igor—Memorandums, 1960

Box 3

Edward James, Jr.—Memorandums, 1960

Box 3

C.F. Rice—Memorandums, 1960

Box 3

Robert W. Kamm—Memorandums, 1961

Box 3

K.F. Ross—Memorandums, 1961

Box 3

John S. Keeler, Leon Donday, J.G. Kennard—Status Report, 1962

 

SERIES IV Secret Reference Memorandums 1946-1962

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 607259
Physical Description: 2 Boxes 6 in.
Physical Location: A016373

Scope and Content Note

These memorandums were created to inform administrators at the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) and later the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) about the research and development activities being conducted by academia and the aerospace industry in the western United States.
This series contains memorandum reports, handwritten notes and correspondence related to activities of the aerospace industry and academic research in aerospace engineering in the western United States. A typical report contains background information on the company or research facility visited including financial background, some organizational charts, current military contracts, competitions for contracts and sketches of mechanical components under development. The reports also include discussions of engineering successes and failures, proposed tests to be carried out at National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) test facilities such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and industry testing facilities. Most reports were researched and written by Edwin P. Hartman, NACA Western Coordinator and his Assistant Coordinator, Donald R. Mulholland.
Subjects in these reports are largely military in nature and include the development of Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) defense and development including the WS-117L (Weapons System-117L, also known as Pied Piper and New Horizon) ICBM alarm system, development of the NIKE, Honest John, Sparrow, Falcon, Thor, Titan, Jupiter, Saturn, Atlas and Navaho missiles and the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force competition for the development of a long range interceptor aircraft. Space program development topics include the Man-in-Space (MISS) program, SR-183 (Systems Requirement-183), a proposal for an Air Force lunar observatory and the development of the Juno II and Juno IV satellite programs. Non-military subjects include the development of Hughes Aircraft's H-4 flying boat.
This series was known as "Secret Memorandums and Reports" in other finding aids.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically.
Box 7, Folder 1

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1946-1947

Box 7, Folder 2

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1947-1950

Box 7, Folder 3

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1950-1951

Box 7, Folder 4

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1951-1952

Box 7, Folder 5

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1953

Box 7, Folder 6

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1952-1957

Box 7, Folder 7

Edwin P. Hartman--Memorandums 1953-1955

 

SERIES V Reference Memorandums 1940-1947

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 608523
Physical Description: 3 Boxes 1 ft.
Physical Location: A008669-A008670

Scope and Content Note

These memorandums were created to inform administrators at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) about the research and development activities being conducted by academia and the aerospace industry in the eastern United States.
This series contains reference memorandums, handwritten notes and correspondence related to activities of the aerospace industry and academic research in aerospace engineering in the eastern United States. The memorandums are similar in nature to those produced by the Western Coordination Office in California for the Office of the Coordinator of Research. A typical memorandum contains some background information on the company or research facility visited, current contracts with the United States Air Force (USAF), United States Navy and United States Army, competitions for contracts and sketches of mechanical components under development. Reports were researched and written by Harrison Chandler and distributed to the Western Coordination Office.
These records were a part of the series "Correspondence of the Western Coordinator," which has been known as "Correspondence of Edwin P. Hartman" in other finding aids.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically.
 

SERIES VI Correspondence of the Western Coordinator 1940-1956

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 607622
Physical Description: 2 Boxes 11 in.
Physical Location: A008670-A008671

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence, teletypes, memoranda, and reports related to the activities of the Western Coordination Officer, Edwin P. Hartman, including Hartman's travel arrangements and travel schedules, distribution of NACA technical reports, proposed testing by aerospace companies, and conference organization. Also contained are copies of reference memoranda which document aerospace industry activities.
This series was known as "Correspondence of Edwin P. Hartman" in other finding aids.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 1

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1946

Box 1, Folder 2

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1947

Box 1, Folder 3

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1947

Box 1, Folder 4

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1948

Box 1, Folder 5

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1948

Box 1, Folder 6

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1949

Box 1, Folder 7

Edwin P. Hartman—General 1949

 

SERIES VII Organizational History Files 1959-1969

Note

NARA Archival Research Catalog Identifier 608638
Physical Description: 5 Boxes 2 ft. 1 in.
Physical Location: V12 89-V12 91

Scope and Content Note

This series contains correspondence, reports, studies, research notes, interviews and copies of publications relating to the background and restructuring of the Western Support Office (WSO), formerly the Western Operations Office (WOO) and the Western Coordination Office (WCO). The bulk of the records summarize the background, mission and function of the WOO especially as the office was facing reorganization around 1965. Of special interest are the monthly activity reports of the WOO, which document significant personnel changes, the budget, assistance given to research centers, and individual unit activities. Other files include information compiled by a professor who was charged with writing a history of the Western Support Office (WSO) and its predecessors. These files include correspondence and transcribed interviews with Russell G. Robinson, Coordinator of WCO, Edwin P. Hartman, Coordinator of WCO, Donald Mulholland, Assistant Coordinator under Hartman and Robert W. Kamm, Director of WOO. Interviews document the early development of the program including the evolving relationship between the WCO/WOO and the western aerospace industry.
Arranged alphabetically and thereunder chronologically.
Box 1, Box 1

Abbreviations and Addresses 1965-1967

Box 1, Box 2

Activity Reports—Monthly 1959-1966

Box 1, Box 3

Activity Reports—Monthly 1959-1966

Box 1, Box 4

Activity Reports—Monthly 1959-1966

Box 1, Box 5

Activity Reports—Monthly 1959-1966

Box 1, Box 6

Activity Reports—Monthly 1959-1966