Summer Session Kansan
Page-5
Now We Have It, What Is It For?
WASHINGTON — (UPI) — The XB70, one of the most controversial and revolutionary aircraft ever built, is scheduled to roll out of a Palmdale, Calif., assembly plant in August or September, and the Pentagon is in dilemma about how to handle this major news event.
Years in construction and the source of continuous friction within and between the executive branch and Congress, the XB70 is the experimental plane which the Air Force had hoped to develop into a reconnaissance and missile-armed strike craft called RS70.
WHAT DO you do when you publicly unveil a jet aircraft which is the fastest (2,000 mph), highest flying (70,000 ft-plus) and heaviest (more than 550,000 pounds) there ever was, but which you do not intend to put into production? How do you handle the roll-out ceremony, a traditional milestone with new planes, and what do you say to the public about the remarkable machine being displayed?
These are questions the Defense Department, in the person of Assistant Secretary Arthur Sylvester, and the Air Force are debating and seeking to resolve.
Sylvester gave assurance, in answer to questions, that the roll-out date will be announced in advance and the press will be present to cover the event. But somehow an effort will be made to play the whole thing in low key.
NO AMOUNT of Defense Department crepe hanging, however, will change the fact that the XB70 is a fantastic flying machine in its own right, embodying radical advances in technology and manufacturing processes, and certain to further the aeronautical art. There never has been anything like the XB70, once called a manned missile.
No amount of Air Force and company hoopla at the unveiling, on the other hand, will alter the fact that this particular airplane ran
afoul of the missile age and is not destined for squadron service,however much it contributes to future aviation development,both military and commercial.
No amount of the government's wrestling with its problems of managing the XB70 roll-out will influence the fact that there will be large public interest in the event and the press will expect to be out in full force to cover it.
AT A COST now expected to exceed $1.3 billion, North American Aviation, Inc., as prime contractor, is building three XB70 models. The first was slated to fly last December but ran into technical problems that have delayed its roll-out at Palmdale until late this summer and its first flight until October or November.
Technical difficulties are the rule, not the exception, in advanced new aircraft, all the more so with one that makes such strides as the high allow stainless steel XB70.
The specific problem in this case was a leak of pressurized nitrogen gas, used in the triangle-shaped wing to cool fuel while hiking along at three times the speed of sound. The company and the Air Force believe that the problem has been fixed, after painstaking examination of the wing construction.
APPLICATION PHOTOS
Latin Scholars Gather Here, Aug 8
PASSPORTS
Fast Service
Following the close of the 1963 summer session, more than 1.500 Latin scholars will meet on the KU campus in two groups — the first comprised of teachers, the second of students.
HIXON STUDIO
Bob Blank, Photographer
721 Mass. VI 3-0330
THE SECOND GROUP, 1,400 high school Latin students, will arrive Aug. 11, for a four-day National Junior Classical League Convention. The students will come from all over the United States including Alaska.
Friday, July 26, 1963
The institute for teachers is sponsored by the American Classical League, a national professional organization for Latin teachers.
About 100 high school and college level Latin teachers will arrive on the University of Kansas campus Aug. 8 for the 16th annual Latin Institute. The institute will last until August 10.
THE PROGRAM for the students will include speeches, election of officers, workshops, group discussions on various professions, contests in mythology, vocabulary, Roman history, athletic contests, a Roman banquet, and dance. Included in the athletic contests will be discus throwing, wrestling, and chariot racing.
The theme of the 1963 institute is "Classics Teachers and Classics Teaching."
The National Junior Classical League has about 110,000 members across the United States.
See Us Before You Buy TYPEWRITERS
NEW AND USED
PORTABLES STANDARDS
ELECTRICS
Sales - Rentals - Service
LAWRENCE TYPEWRITER
735 Mass. VI 3-3644
1/2 PRICE SALE
The HOLIDAY "825"
Portable recorder, battery operated. Includes speaker, tape, earphone, batteries, microphone. Great for parties, school, just plain fun.
$1995
The Fabulous Eight
Transistor #862
Always the Best Buy,
Now Even Better.
List Price $39.95
1/2 off $19.95
The Model 627
- 6 Transistors
- 2 Leather Cases
- Battery
- Earphone
- Fine Speaker
- Exceptional Sensitivity
Mfgs. List $29.95
Mfgs. List $29.95
½ off $14.95
928 Mass.
VI 3-8500